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THE / 



NORTHERIV SHEPHERD, 



A REPORT OF A COMMITTEE 



or THE 



^KENNEBEC COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, 



UPON THE 



DISEASES AND MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP. 



• To rear the tender flock, 

A Ubor this. 

Virgtl. 




WINTHROP» 

William Noyes— Printer. 
1835. 



O^ r f ' C \- ' .' r <")^i/ ■>■..',■■ ^ ^ 






Entered according to act of Congress, in the jrear 1835, by the Trustees 
of the Kennebec County Agricultural Society, in the Clerk's OffiM of the 
District Court of the District of Maine. 



^:^^^ 



CONTENTS. 



Introduction. 11 

Different breeds of Sheep, &c. 13 

Native breed 13 

Otter breed 14 

Merinoes 1^ 

Closeness of fleece of 19 

Form and shape 19 

Saxony ^0 

South Down 21 

Dishley . 2S 

Caramanian ^ 23 

Frederic Sheep 24 

Texel 24 

Management of Sheep 26 

Twelve letters to a Shepherd 33 



Directions for May 33 

'' June 3Q 

" July 40 

" August 42 

" September * 44 

'' October 46 

" November 48 

'' December 51 

^' January 55 

" February 53 

" March CO 

" April 63 

Usual mode of managing Sheep CQ 

Diseases of Sheep 'i 1 

Scab 72 

Pelt rot 74 

Sheep Pox or Claveau 75 

Foot Rot 82 

Erysipelas or red water 8G 

Sore Eyes 67 

Wounds,, Fractures, &:c. 87 

Rot SO 

Diarrhea or scouring 96 

Dysentery 97 

Stretches or Colic 93 



Braxy G9 

Sturdy 100 

Staggers 101 

Worms in the head 103 

Worms, Flukes, &c. 105 

Convulsions 108 

Poison 108 

Miscellaneous 113 

First lamb 113 

Table of British Sheep 114 

Technical terms 115 

Lambs at a birth 115 

Choice of a Ram 116 

Signs of Health 117 

Salt 117 

Salving, Yolk, &c, 118 

Method of bleeding Sheep 119 

Transition from high to low feed 120 

Number of Ewes to a Ram 121 

Age of Sheep 124 

Grades of wool 125 

Notes — Mr. Jarvis 128 

Downs or Dunes 128 

Comparative value of Dishleys and Merinoes 128 

Sheep Houses 129 
1* 



Foot Rot • ]3i 

Appearance of the liver in rot ]3l 

Recipe for poisoned Sheep 131 

Supposed worm in the feet 132 



At a meeting of the Kennebec County Agricultur- 
al Society, held at Union Hall, Winthrop, on the 4th 
day of June, 1832, it was 

Voted^ To choose a Committee to collect informa- 
tion upon the diseases to which Sheep are sui)ject in 
this climate, with the prevention and cure ; the best 
breeds of Sheep and the mode of improvintj them ; 
with such matter as would be useful in a Treatise 
upon Sheep generally, should the Kentiebec County 
Agricultural Sociely deem it expedient to publish a 
work upon this subject. 

In compliance with the requisitions of the above 
vote, the following pages are respectfully submitted 
by The Committee. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Perhaps no country in the world, not even Spain 
itself, is better adapted to the successful breeding of 
sheep than the State of Maine. The innumerable 
hills which diversify her landscape, are peculiarly 
fitted by their wholesome herbage, their airy walks 
and pure and refreshing rills to the purposes of past- 
urage for this kind of stock, while the lowlands 
afford abundance of fodder for them during the win- 
ter months. We are indebted to an individual of 
the committee for an economical, and, as it has hith- 
erto proved, a judicious mode of keeping sheep a 
part of the winter months ion hay cut from our low- 
lands commonly known by the \^ame oi ^' meadow 
hay.'" This, combined with other kinds of food as 
occasion may require has been found a successful 
mode of management, as it thus brings our hills and 
lowlands into profitable connexion, one for summer 
the other for winter use. Thus, Maine is undoubt- 
edly destined to become a great wool growing coun- 
try, and the time is probably not far distant, when 



10 

the accumulation of capital, will put in use her now 
neglected waterfalls ; and her wool, instead of being 
shipped to other places, will be manufactured at the 
Shepherd's door. 

These considerations have prompted the attention 
of many of our sagacious farmers to the subject, and 
altho' various circumstances have opposed the suc- 
cess and increase of flocks among us. Yet the sub- 
ject is exciting increased interest and awakening a 
just consideration in regard to the rearing and im- 
.provement of this invaluable animal. 

Among the causes which have had a tendency to 
check the progress of Sheep Husbandry,- none have 
been so discouraging as the diseases which destroyed 
our flocks in the winter of 1828, 1829, 1831 and %. 
During the latter period many farmers lost their 
whole flocks, and there were very few who did not 
suffer severely. 

To prevent as much as possible a recurrence of 
these calamities, and to throw more light upon the 
business of rearing and managing sheep, of prevent- 
ing and curing their disorders, the Kennebec County 
Agricultural Society, deemed it advisable to collect 
and embody what information could be obtained. 

The facts and observations- thus collected, with 
such other information from various sources and au- 
thors thatwas thought would be useful to the Shep- 
herds of Maine, are here presented. 



MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP. 



CHAPTER I. 



DIFFERENT BREEDS OF SHEEP WITH REMARKS UPON 
THEIR PROPERTIES, &C. 

As far as we can ascertain, there are or have been 
eight different breeds of sheep introduced into the 
United States, viz : J^ative breed so called, the Olter 
breeds the Merino^ the Texel, the Dishley, the Carama- 
nian, the South down and the Frederick sheep. A brief 
description of these varieties or breeds as they are 
called, will be given. 

\. Native Breed. — The ancestors of this breed 
were brought from some part of England, at what 
period we do not precitely know, but probably 
sometime between the years 1624 and 1629. 
History informs us that Mr. Edward Winslow 
brought the first neat cattle into New-England in 
1624, and in 1629, 140 head of cattle, some horses, 
2 



14 

sheep and goats were brought into Massachusetts bay. 
They Avere, generally speaking a well formed slieep^ 
bearing wool of a medium fineness. As there were 
no particular pains taken with them, and not much 
real spirit of improvement in this kind of stock show- 
ed until 1812, they were suffered to take their chance 
pretty much as Nature would dictate, without re- 
gard to the improvement of any particular points. 
They have now become, except in few instances, so 
mixed in with other breeds, that a genuine native is 
rarely to be found at the present day. 

2. Otter breed. — Some years ago a singular va- 
riety of sheep were somewhat numerous in some 
parts of Massachusetts, and some few of them were 
introduced into Maine. They were called the Otter 
breed or Short legged sheep. The origin of them is 
thus given by Dr. Dwight : 

In the town of Mendon (Mass.) if I have been cor- 
rectly informed, an ewe belonging to one of the far- 
mers had twins which he observed to differ in their 
structure from any other sheep in this part of the 
country, particularly the fore legs which were much 
shorter and were bent inwards so as to distantly re- 
semble what are called clubfeet. Their bodies were 
at the same time thicker and more clumsy. During 
their growth they were observed to be more gentle, 
less active, less inclined to wander than other sheep, 
and unable to climb the stone walls with which this 
region abounds. They were of different sexes. The 



i5 

proprietor therefore determined an attempt to pro- 
duce a breed of the same kind. The attempt was 
successful. The progeny had all the characteristics 
of the parents ; and although they have since multi- 
plied to many thousands, have exhibited no material 
variation. 

I am further informed that this breed of sheep 
have been crossed with the breed of sheep common 
in this country, and in all instances, to the dates of 
my last information, the lambs have entirely resem- 
bled either the sire or the dam, and have never ex- 
hibited the least discernible mixture. These sheep 
are called the otter breed, from a resemblance to the 
animal of that name. Their flesh is said to be good 
mutton, and their wool not inferior to that of 
common sheep either in quantity, length or fineness. 
But their peculiar value consists in their quietness, 
with which they continue in any enclosure. In a 
country where stone walls are so general as in New- 
England, it would seem that sheep of that descrip- 
tion would be almost invaluable. — Dwighfs Travels^ 
vol 3. 

This breed, however, did not answer the high ex- 
pectations which Dr. Dwight formed of them. They 
have now become very scarce if not entirely extinct. 

3. Merinoes. — The Merinoes were brought from 
Spain into the United Slates by the Livingstons of 
New- York in 1802, and Col. Hunphreys of Connecti- 
ent. 



16 

Hon. Charles Jarvis, Consul at Spain, also import- 
ed some very fine flocks from that country, from 
which have sprung some of the finest flocks in New- 
England, [a] The merinoes are considered by some 
to have been oriojinallv carried from England and 
propagated in Spain until they had acquired fixed 
and characteristic properties, not possessed by any 
other breed. 

They are in general a smaller sized sheep than 
common breeds, — bone and oflid light— bodies short- 
er, in proportion to weight, sides somewhat flat. 
The males have generally large horns, and both sex- 
es are often covered with wool over the eyes and 
down to the hoofs. Their fleece is very compact 
or close, of a medium length, full of yolk and the 
•finest of any race of sheep. 

The introduction of this breed among us forms an 
important and interesting era in the history of our 
Sheep Husbandry. Although Livingston and Hum- 
phreys had introduced them into this countr}-, and 
their merits were beginning to be appreciated, yet 
general attention was not turned to them until after 
the war broke out between Great Britain and the 
United States in 1812. From this time a total stop 
was put to all commerce between the two nations^ 
and the want of broadcloths, cassimeres &c., which 
had formerly been obtained from England, was be- 
ginning to be felt. Our manufacturers of these arti- 
cles were indeed few, and these few had not the ma- 



17 

terial to work np. A call, both for the manufactur- 
ed article and the raw material was thus created, and 
our enterprising merchants commenced the shipping 
or importation of merinoes from Spain, for the pur- 
pose of growing the wool among us. As the de- 
mand for the wool was much greater than the sup- 
ply, a spirit of competition among farmers arose. — 
Speculation ran high ; a single buck was often bought 
and sold for five hundred dollars or more, and as in 
all speculations of a similar nature, fortunes were 
made and lost. While merino wool brought from 
one dollar to two dollars per pound, the merino was 
held in the highest estimation, and the farmers spar- 
ed no pains in nursing and tending them. But at the 
conclusion of peace, and when commerce was restor- 
ed between the two countries, the value of wool and 
consequently the carcase which produced it deprecia- 
ted rapidly. Our farmers turned their attention to 
other pursuits, their flocks became generally neglect- 
ed, of course ran down, and to this day we hear ma- 
ny condemning tho poor merino, as being a worth- 
less, tender animal, when the whole sin lies at the 
door of the careless shepherd. 

That they are not so hardy as some other breeds 
none will deny. Nor is it possible in the nature of 
things that they should be. Nature, or art, or both 
have produced an animal, the principal part of whose 
sustenance is converted into a thick close fleece, of 
the most delicate and finest fibre. Is it strange that 
2* 



IS 

the body and constitutional strength of such an ani* 
mal should be deficient, when there is not that amount 
of food expended in producing and keeping up strong 
animal powers ? Is it strange that of two sheep^ 
both eating, we will say the same amount of food, 
but one converting two thirds of this amount into 
flesh and fat, and the other converting two thirds of 
what he eats into the finest of wool ; the latter should 
be the most tender and less calculated to abide the 
rigors of winter ? Does not such an one virtually 
say to you ? — I will return your food in the form of 
the finest of fleeces — I will sacrifice the pleasures of 
a robust and hardy body to gratify your desire of 
dress, but you must take the more care of the car- 
case that I have thus debilitated for your gratifica- 
tion. — Certainly a most reasonable request. 

The Dishley holds a different language. I will 
eat and drink, and be filled with fatness. The coarse 
fibre which I yield, you may make the most of, but 
while I live, my food shall be expended in larding 
mine own ribs. 

It is true that near a large city where there is a 
constant market for mutton, the Dishley may be, on 
the whole, the most profitable ; but in this State, 
where the facilities of growing and fattening beef 
are almost unlimited, mutton is a secondary object. 
The merino must therefore be the most profitable 
variety which our farmers can raise. The flesh of 
this sheep, though not so much in amount per car- 



19 

case as the Dishley, is good while young. But it 
must be borne in mind that the object of Bakewell in 
forming the fiimous Dishley breed of sheep, and of 
the Spanish shepherd in bringing his merino to per- 
fection, were far different. Balsewell's whole aim 
was a great amount of nciutton from a single carcase 
without any regard to tlie wool. The Spaniards* 
object was to obtain the greatest amount of the finest 
wool on the single body, without any regard what- 
ever to the quantity or quality of the flesh. In bring- 
ing their favorite breeds to perfection each in its 
kind, they pursued an opposite course. 

The disadvantages attending a perfectly fine 
wooled merino are 

1. Closeness of fleece. This prevents air from 
circulating around the body, and thereby subjecting 
them to diseases of the skin, especially when first ta- 
ken off, owing to the too great transition of circum- 
stances, viz : from a close hot slate to a perfect ex- 
posure to the sun, air, damps, dews and rains of the 
atmosphere upon so delicate a skin. 

2. Bad form, or shape. The general health of 
most animals must depend upon their shape and con- 
struction. The health depends upon the digestive 
together with the circulating and respiratory organs. 
In the first place then the stomach should be large 
and placed in sufficient space, in order that it may 
contain a greater quantity of food to digest. The 
lungs should be capacious in order to allow a perfect- 



20 

ly free circulation of the blood through them, an4 
to admit a larger quantity of air to come in contact 
with or to act upon it. Now a large chest or barrel 
formed body is necessary to contain these large or- 
gans. Hence a broad chest — flat back and hoop- 
shaped or circular ribs, indicate a more healthy ani- 
mal than one whose breast is thin, back and ribs nar- 
row, constituting a flat or slab-sided animal. Coun- 
teract these two disadvantages, viz : closeness of 
fleece and badness of form, and you render your me- 
rino more healthy and hardy, we think without di- 
minishing his value. It is no matter how fine the 
fibre is ; but if you would pursue wool growing 
profitably, pay particular attention to these two 
things: — The shape of the sheep and the closeness of the 
fleece, 

A Merino fleece upon a Bakewell body is the grand 
point to be aimed at by the shepherds of Maine. — 
Remember, no matter how fine the fibre, but let it 
not be too close, better make up the deficiency of 
weight in the length of the staple and have your 
fleece more open, than shorten the staple, thicken 
your fleece and bring on a liability to diseases. 

We are aware that many will combat this opinion, 
but the experience of our oldest and most careful 
wool growers dictate it. And we therefore repeat ; 
that you must pay the strictest attention to the form of 
the carcase or have a weak, sickly and unprofitable flock. 

Saxony.— The Saxony sheep are nothing more 



21 

than a variety of the merino. Some years ago, the 
Duke of Saxony in Germanyj introduced from Spain 
some of her finest woollecl s?)eep. They have im- 
proved the length of the staple. Not many years 
since quite a speculation was realized by importing 
this variety into the United States, but it is thought 
that on the whole they have been a disadvantage 
to our flocks of merinoes. It is true they have 
lengthened the staple, but they are longer legj^ed, 
and are bad nurses ; being smaller in the parts of gen- 
eration and yield but little milk. 

It may be expected that we shall speak of the dif- 
ferent varieties of the merino. Nearly all the varie- 
ties of this breed have been introduced among lis, but 
they have become now so blended together that their 
distinctive characters are in a great measure lost ; and 
this breed now presents a general uniformity. 

4. South Downs. — This breed of sheep take their 
name from the extensive downs [b] or as we call them 
commons in the counties of Sussex, Kent, &c., in 
England. A few of them have been introduced into 
New-England by Messrs A. h A. Lawrence of Bos- 
ton in the autuum of 1825. Subsequently to this 
Col. Jacques imported a number from ihc flocks of 
Mr. Coke of Holkam in the county of Devon, and 
now has a fine flock of them on the ten Hills farm 
near Boston. 

We believe they were first introduced into the 
United States by that enterprising and energetic Ag- 



Q9 



riculturist, John Hare Powel, of Powelton near Phil- 
adelphia, who thinks very highly of them, and of 
whom, as also of Col. Jacques they could be obtained 
of great purity. Their specific characters are — fa- 
ces and legs uniformly grey ; bones fine or small ; 
neck long and slim ; somewhat low before ; shoulder 
high; somewhat light in the fore quarter; sides 
broad ; loin tolerably good ; thigh full, and breast 
good ; wool very fine and short, (the staple being 
from two to three inches in length,) weighing on an 
average, two pounds and a half to a fleece when kil- 
led at two years old. This wool, when compared 
with the merino, is not so fine or as much in demand. 
Flesh fine grained and of very excellent flavor. — - 
Quick feeders. Constitution hardy and vigorous. 
Capable of great imj)rovements. Lawrence, an Eng- 
lish agriculturist, says they are second to none of the 
breeds in Britain, and recommends them very high- 
ly for hill or pasture sheep. 

Powel, in the memoirs of the Pennsylvania Agri- 
cultural Society, says the South Down sheep have 
fine fleeces, of shorter staple and much less weight, 
smaller carcases, less loaded with fat showing more 
proof within, afi'ording mutton of finer texture and 
better flavor than any breed known. Their forms 
are not so accurate, their fore quarters being lighter 
and their necks larger than those of the .Dishleys, 
but their chests are sufficiently wide to afford ample 
space for the position of their lungs ; upon the health- 



2S 

ful action of which, able, scientific and practical men 
agree, the vigor and useful animal secretions depend. 
They are much more hardy ; have more offal ; they 
consume rather more food in proportion to their size, 
than the Dishley, but by their vigor and activity, 
are enabled to support, and to thrive upon bleak and 
barren hills where Dishley s would die from expo- 
sure or starve. 

5. DisHLEYs. — This breed of sheep were introdu- 
ced into Massachusetts, by S. Williams^Esq. of North- 
boro' Worcesjter county ; and a few importations have 
been made by others. The characteristics of this 
breed, are — heads clean, straight, broad and with- 
out horns ; eyes briglit and lively ; pelts thin ; wool 
long, of medium fineness and admirably adapted for 
combing, weighing on an average four pounds. 

The Dishley are a valuable breed for mutton, but 
in point of pecuniary gain, in our section of the Uni- 
on, they cannot oonipare with the Merino. This we 
think may be made abundantly evident by calcula- 
tion.— [.See appendix c] 

6. Caramanian or Camlet woolled Sheep. — In 
1825, Capt. Gerry brought into New- York a bieck of 
ihis breed. The history of which is as follows : He 
was taken from on board a Turkish vessel bound to 
Constantinople, which vessel was captured by the 
Greek Admiral, Tombazo, and by him presented to 
Capt. Gerry. A female was also presented but it 
died on the passage. The admiral assured Capt. 



24 

G. that it was a native of Caramania, a province in 
Asia Minor. This buck was kept on the farm of 
William ShotwtH Esq., of Wootlbridge, N. Jersey, 
where they have been propagated. They are a large 
long legged sheep ; necks long ; heads horned ; backs 
straight ; chest moderately wide ; wool very long, 
coarse, dry and wiry, and very strong — somewhat 
similar to goats hair. This wool is said to be par- 
ticularly adapted to the manufacture of Camlets. 

Their flesh is good. A few of them have been 
reared in Maine, but it is believed that the wool has 
not been manufactured into any thing but coarse fab- 
rics. 

7. Frederick Sheep. — This is a large and valua- 
ble breed of sheep, bred by the late R. K. Meade, Esq. 
of Frederick county, Virginia. They are across of 
the Merino upon the long woolled Arlington breed, 
formerly bred by General Washington. Mr. Meade 
cultivated this breed with great success for a number 
of years. 

8. The Texel Breed, so called, have been reared 
in Maine by Mr.Fillebrown of Readfield, who, if we 
mistake not, procured them of Col. Jacques of Charles- 
ton, Mass. They are somewhat similar to the Bake- 
well or Dishley in appearance, and in quantity and 
quality of their wool. 

These are the principal breeds that have been in- 
troduced and reared among us. They are not all 
the kinds, however, that have been occasionally seen 



25 

among the flocks of our farmers. We are informed 
that Commodore Preble introduced a variety from 
some parts of Europe, which were kept near Port- 
land. A variety of sheep with smutty faces and legs 
were formerly kept by a Mr. Evans of Turner ; but 
we have not been able to ascertain what particular 
breeds either of them were, or whether any of them 
exist now or not. 

Before the introduction of Merinoes, and general 
attention was turned to them, our sheep, especially 
on the seaboard, presented a motley variety. Our 
seamen would often bring a ram or an ewe, or a pair 
from the countries that they visited, and thus in time 
the flocks in that section of the State bordering upon 
the sea, became extremely various in appearance and 
quality. 



jDHAPTER 11. 



MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP. 

High and low keeping — Pasturage and surnmer man-: 
agement. Fall keeping — Winter keeping — Spring 
keeping. Time of Yeaning. 

Upon the proper management of Sheep, it must be 
evident all the profit depends. Care is a very essen- 
tial requisite in this part of Husbandry ; and he who 
does not possess or practice it, ought never to have 
the charge of a single sheep, much less of a numerous 
flock. If the owner takes the charge of his own 
flock, interest will spur him to his duty, unless indo- 
lence become the stronger. If he intrusts his flock 
to another it becomes his solemn duty to discharge his 
trust with the utmost fidelity. Every consideration 
ought to prompt him to this. His obligation to his 



27 

employer — his own reputation, and the moral obli- 
gation which every human being is under to treat 
the brute creation which the Almighty has made de- 
pendent upon him, with kindness and mercy. Sheep 
should not be kept too high, unless intended for the 
butcher, for it is believed to be a true maxim in re- 
gard to sheep *^once fat never fat again." If they 
once become fat and are suffered to fall away, it is 
difficult getting them so fat as they were before they 
began to grow poor. 

In regard to the summer keeping of sheep, experi- 
ence proves that high rocky pastures are much the 
best. Nature, it seems, designed the Sheep originally 
for a mountain animal ; and although man has by art 
changed its nature in a surprising degree, yet he has 
not been able wholly to thwart her views ; and the 
Sheep still loves to feed on the hill top and the cliff, 
where there is a pure and exhilerating breeze, and 
where it can shelter itself under the shade of trees 
or a projecting rock during the heat of our sultry- 
dog-days. A high pasture therefore should, if possi- 
ble, be devoted to your sheep ; and if there is a con- 
siderable quantity of wood, or detached clumps and 
groves of trees in different situations, it will be still 
better, for they will serve for shelter during storms, 
which occasionally occur. They should be occasion- 
ally salted ; and if some tar be added to the salt it 
will be a benefit to them, as tar is a very good stim- 
ulant when taken into the stomach, and it prevents 



28 

annoyance from the different species of flies. The 
solid rock or mineral salt has been found a very con- 
venient article. A piece may be laid in a trough and 
the sheep will lick it as they please. A saving of la- 
bor will thus be effected. During the heat of Sum- 
mer, it will be found a very good practice to plough 
a furrow or two in the lower parts of the pasture. — 
The sheep delight at times to lie upon the sand thus 
thrown up, and have been observed to plunge their 
noses into the dust when pursued by the Oestris or fly 
which lays its eggs in their nostrils. The fly is thus 
defeated, and the trouble of maggots in the head the 
ensuing winter oftentimes prevented. 

Wild animals are now so scarce that sheep are not 
often molested by them, but Dogs oftentimes make 
immense havoc with them. A careful watch should 
be kept of the flock on this account ; and on the first 
appearance of any mischief of this sort, the robber 
should be ferreted out and killed immediately. 

As the frosty weather comes on in Autumn, it is 
necessary to pay more attention to your sheep. — 
Ewe? will begin to require the ram, and if permit- 
ted, the rams will begin \o rove abroad. If particu- 
lar attention is not paid to thern, and if they are not 
confined, you will find your lambs coming early in 
winter, and much trouble and loss will be the una- 
voidable consequence. 

As the Autumn advances you should remove your 
sheep to a more warm and sheltered situation, m 



29 ' 

order that^they may be screened from the cold rains 
and chilly nights. If much rain falls you should oil 
them, or apply some oily ointment, to defend their 
skins from the wet and dampness. So delicate and 
tender is the skin of the fine woolled sheep, and so 
clo^e are their fleeces, that there is great danger of 
pelt rot being occasioned by too great exposure to 
the chilling influence of long and cold storms. 

As the grass and herbage decays it will be necessa- 
ry to supply its place by such fodder as they will eat, 
and to increase the quantity in proportion as what 
they get by grazing diminishes. It should be the en- 
deavor of every farmer to bring his sheep and indeed 
all his stock, to the barn in the best possible order. 
They are thus fitted to withstand the rigors of win- 
ter much better, and they will be carried through this 
inclement season with much less care, and more econ- 
omically, than they can be if they are poor and ema- 
ciated when winter sets in. During the winter, their 
dependence for food is almost wholly upon man. It 
is therefore not only absolutely necessary to his inter- 
est, but it becomes a sacred duty, to attend upon 
their wants, and to see that they are judiciously sup- 
plied with suitable food and at proper times. It is no 
slight task ; and every one who has the charge of 
sheep should study well their wants and appetites 
and govern his proceedings accordingly. It should 
be a rule with him to fill them ivith something that they 
will eat. Some green or heavy food, such as roots 
3^ 



30 

or pine, or hemlock browse, should be given them. 
Sheep will feed upon as many kinds of food as any 
ruminating animals, but their appetite is variable. 

As Spring approaches and the ground becomes 
bare, sheep are very apt to stray out, if not confined 
in enclosures, and to crop the withered grass. This 
should never be allowed, for it takes their appetite 
from their fodder, and as they cannot graze enough 
to fill them, they will lose flesh fast. This should 
not be allowed ; for as the yeaning season approach- 
es, they should be so fed as to gain, rather than lose 
strength. The Spring is undoubtedly the proper 
time for sheep to yean ; but whether they should 
yean early in the season or late, is not well settled 
among our best shepherds ; some advocating that it 
is best to permit them to yean in April, others not 
till May. The arguments for and against, may be 
reduced to the following : 

If the shepherd is supplied with warm folds and 
yards, and has sufficient succulent food ; it might be 
best to let the ram run with the flock, and have the 
Iambs come when they pleased ; or, could the hab- 
its of sheep be so completely changed as to have the 
lambs come in October, say the last of October or the 
first of November, it might be. There are, howev- 
er, obstacles to this which are not easily surmounted. 
It has been said, and probably with reason, that dis- 
appointing the ewe when in heat has a tendency to 
injure the offspring, and render it small. 



The arguments in favor of delaying the yeaning as 
late as May, may be enumerated as follows : 

1, That the sheep will need little or nothing but 
hay during the previous winter, consequently kept 
with less expense to the owner. 

2, That more lambs may be generally reared from 
the same number of sheep. 

3, That the lambs will require less care on account 
of the more mildness of the weather, &c. 

The arguments in favor of their yeaning at a suit- 
able time in April, are 

1. That they will take the ram in November 
when both are in better order, and consequently the 
young will be larger and stronger. If delayed until 
December in order that the lambs may be dropped 
in May, both the ram and ewe will need grain in or- 
der to keep up their condition, otherwise they will 
be in an unthrifty state. This will have a tendency 
to injure the lamb and prevent its coming so healthy 
and strong as it would if the parents were in a better 
state of flesh. 

2, That there is usually a time in April, after the 
sun has crossed the line, suitable for lambs to come, 
and equally as good as the usual weather in May; 
when, if well supplied with good succulent food, the 
loss of lambs will be not greater than when they drop 
in May ; and even if they were not with lamb, it 
would be good economy to feed, between hay and 
grass in the same manner as if you expected lambs 



32 

to come soon. They would not then be liable to fail 
in flesh, and of course less liable to become diseased. 
By feeding in this manner there would be less dan- 
ger of loss in the weight and quality of the fleece. — 
By yeaning at this time there would also be less dan- 
ger of the dam having more milk than the lamb can 
suck, and thereby endanger the udder by inflama- 
tion, &c. The shepherd will also have less trouble 
in seeing to his flock, as they will be about the yard ; 
and the Iambs will not be so much exposed to the 
depredations of dogs and foxes. 

3, The Iambs which come in April will winter bet- 
ter during the ensuing winter, as many of them will 
have learned to eat hay, roots, &.c. before they leave 
the barn in the Spring. 

From a consideration of the arguments for and 
against the yeaning of lambs in April or May, we are 
inclined to the opinion that April is the best time ; if 
the Shepherd is provided with good succulent food 
for them, otherwise they ought to come later. In 
the latter case every pains must be taken to learn the 
lambs to eat oats, oil cake, or some other provender 
in the fall. 

We have not gone far into a consideration of the 
subjects of this chapter, because they are more fully 
discussed in the following letters. They are the re- 
sults of many years experience and observation in the 
business of rearing and managing sheep, and are pre- 
sented in this familiar way with the hope of making 
them more plain and interesting. 



TWELVE LETTERS TO A SHEPHERD. 

BEING DIRECTIONS FOR MANAGING SHEEP IN EVERY MONTH 
OF THE YEAR. 



LETTER L 

May 1, 1833. 
Mr. a. B. Shepherd at 

Dear Sir — I propose to write to you on the first 
day of each months through the year, giving you 
such directions as may appear to me to be useful to 
you, and help you in taking that diligent care of my 
flock which I have entrusted to you. 

Your occupation has been highly honored. I need 
not remind you of the repute of the Patriarchs of old, 
whose business was about flocks ; nor that tlie glad 
tidings of a Saviour were first made known to Shep- 
herds. 

This month, if most of your sheep have been out 
of the yard, and the transition has not been too sud- 
den ; and your pasture fence is well repaired, and 



the sheep are as they ought to be, not unruly, less 
care may be needed than in some other months in 
the year ; yet they ought to be looked to as often as 
every other day, or they will be exposed to that most 
fatal of all diseases — Dogs. 'The lambs will also be 
exposed to Foxes, unlefss they have been anointed 
with sulphur and grease. New ones may also come, 
and will need attention. What I may write, will 
not exempt you from using your best judgement and 
referring to authors when it is necessary. 

I have no doubt that your flock is now in good 
health, and in good order ; and I shall give my di- 
rections accordingly. When the weather is stermy, 
the sheep and Iambs must be taken to a shelter, and 
if it continues long, they should be fed with some- 
thing that they will eat. I would mention Oats or 
oil cake, ground, to be placed in their trough. — 
When the weather again becomes fine, return them 
to the pasture. If the feed is abundant, a relaxed 
state of the bowels will often take place. Salt given 
freely will often remove it*: should it continue, oth- 
er means must be resorted to, and it would be well 
to consult approved authors on the subject ; but with 
nie, removing them to a more scanty pasture and 
giving them dry food, scarcely fails of effecting a 
c ire. The " Hove'' or ^' Moven" sometimes occurs 
to sheep during this month. For the treatment of 

♦Salt, however, given daring feeding on dry food, if troubled with a re 
lax, will increase it. 



3$ 

that disease, you will also consult the best authors. 

The castration pr cording of such male lambs as 
are intended to be altered, is most safely performed 
this montlj, befpre they get fat, and the weather hpt. 
The cording also of all the old rams that are not 
needed. 

Directions about sick sheep, will involve the 
whole that can be said on diseaseso 

Respectfully yours^ C. D. 



LETTER II. 

June 1, 1833. 



Mr. a. B. 



Dear Sir — In this month, washing, shearing, mar- 
king, killing ticks on lambs, docking, &c. become 
necessary ; also the marking the initials, as well as 
packing the wool if not otherwise sold, each of which 
will require a separate consideration. And first of 

Washing. This is done that the purchaser may 
ascertain the value of the wool he purchases. In 
many cases it may be so well done, that the maufac- 
turer is not obliged to give it the second. This op- 
eration must be delayed, if possible, until the weath- 
er is so warm that it is grateful to the operator, aud 
also to the sheep. A sufficient number of hands must 
be obtained and the labor commenced immediately 
after breakfast, and finished by noon. If the sheep 
are of the fine and close wooled breeds, they ought to 
remain for sometime in the water, that the wool may 
be well soaked* 

Clear running water is best ; but when that can- 
not be obtained a clear pond may be substituted. — 



37 

When the outside of the fleece has much dirt, a lit- 
tle soap may be added. The work ought to be done 
with faithfulness, otherwise the purchaser will give 
a less price, or deduct in weight, more than the ac- 
tual amount of dirt in it. When the sheep are re- 
turned home they must be kept in a clean pasture 
with good feed, and salt occasionally, for eight or 
ten days, and then they should be sheared. It has 
been thought by some that sheep are washed easier 
and it is better to wash them at the close of a storm, 
because the wool is already soaked and part of the 
work is done. But you ought to be sure that the 
storm is over. 

2. Shearing. The best shearers should be em- 
ployed, and they must not be hurried. Having 
about an hundred to shear, not more than twenty 
five ought to be admitted into the barn at a time. 
When they are sheared, they may be passed out at 
the door on the other siile, and be put into the field 
again ; but if the sheep are not in hi^h order, thev 
ought first to be greased or oiled with oil, and the 
cheapest that can be obtained for this purpo.-e may 
be u<ed. Rub it on the back and it will melt and 
go all around the body. Hogs lard is preferable on 
many accounts. 

The fleece is rolled up inside out and tied with a 
strong twine*, and then put in a clean place. The 

*Linen or hemp twine should by all means be used : it will sell for more 
than you give. 

4 



38 

cleaning of the floor and indeed all the labor should 
be done with neatness : let nothing go into the fleece 
but wool. If the single fleeces are weighed the value 
of the sheep may be better ascertained, and such as 
are not worth wintering marked to be fatted and 
killed. When night comes on all the sheep may be 
turned out for a short time, and then brought up and 
placed under cover for the night unless the weather 
is exceedingly warm. 

For want of care in properly housing, for a num- 
ber of nights after shearing, the foundation of many 
incurable diseases is laid, and especially the rot. — 
This may very properly be called one of the critical 
periods with sheep ; and for the want of care at this 
period thousands die annually in Maine. If the 
sheep are not finished the first day, the same method 
may be pursued the second, or third, and so on until 
they are all finshed. 

3. Packing the Wool. For this purpose (if not 
otherwise sold) good bags made of stron^;- tow and 
linen cloth may be made ; about five yards makes a 
convenient one. Sow it with a strong thread, and 
nail the mouth of it to some place, or what is better 
put a hoop in it, and put the fleeces in, one by one, 
and tread them down as tightly as possible ; then 
sew the mouth up. The wool ought not to be pack- 
ed until two or three days after shearing. 

4. Killing Ticks. Three or four days after 
shearing, the Ticks will have crept from the old 



30 

sheep that have been shorn, to the lambs, at which 
time they must be washed in a decoction of tobacco 
and soap. Indian Poke or Swamp Hellebore* is 
also as good as tobacco. Little more care will be 
needed this month. 

Yours, &c., C. D. 



*Vcratrura viride. 



LETTER III. 

July 1, 1833. 

Mr. a. B. 

Dear Sir — In i\ns month, as well as in all oilier 
hot months, it is all important that you should have a 
hill that is much higher than the neighboring land, 
in order that the sheep may go there in the middle 
of a hot day ; and to such a field you must remove 
them, and also suffer them to go to a depressed place^ 
which will be a shelter in wet and cool nights and 
days ; for it must be remembered that depriving 
them of so thick and warm a covering as is taken 
from our fine woolled sheep when sheared, exposes 
them to every disease. The Shepherd should take 
into consideration this fact, and do all in his power 
to counteract the dangers of this critical period. — 
The sheep must be often seen and examined thor- 
oughly for diseases. Pelt rot and Scab may be ex- 
pected, and perhaps some other diseases of the skin ; 
and sometimes the foot rot. See that they do not 
lie huddled together in one spot too long, as that, I 
am confident, has produced disease in my flock. Im 



41 

one instance, I have ^o doubt that the pelt rot was 
thus produced, and nothing saved the whole flock 
from the scab, but a timely application of oil to the 
sheep. If the sheep were properly tarred, when 
they began to go from the barn, the latter part of this 
month will be the proper time to renew it, as the fly 
which is the cause of worms in the head, will soon 
appear. While doing this, there will be an oppor- 
tanity to examine the horns and hoofs and cut such 
as require it. See that there is plenty of good wa- 
ter for the sheep at this season of the year as well as 
at other times. If foot rot appear, cut the|bottom 
of the foot until it bleeds pretty freely, and especial- 
ly at the end of the hoof — (See Diseases of Sheep.) 
This I presume, in the very first stages, will cure ; 
but in the more advanced stages, when the disease is 
seated belov/ the horn of the hoof, you must consult 
the best treatises or authors who have written on 
that disease. Whatever operation you perform, do 
not do it in a savage cruel manner, and bleed the ani- 
mal too much. No time is to be lost, for being con- 
tagious, it will ruin the flock if not immediately cur- 
ed. 

Yours, &c., C. D. 



4* 



LETTER rV. 



August 1, 18S3. 



Mr. a. B 



Dear Sir — In pursuance of my original design, I 
again address you, on the proper management of my 
flock of sheep. If due care has been taken of them 
since they have been at pasture, a good general care 
is all that is needed the fore part of this month, but 
during the last part they will require more attention. 
The lambs must be taken from their dams, together 
with such old ewes as are not to be wintered, and 
placed in a separate field, and if possible, at so great 
a distance that they cannot hear each other. The 
old sheep will lead the lambs, and they will be con- 
tented. This will afford an opportunity to search 
for diseases — to take the exact number in each field, 
and to see that Dogs^ the worst of all diseases, have 
not been among them. The lambs and such ewes or 
other sheep which are intended to be killed the en- 
suing fall, you will put in the best feed. Such ewes 
as have lambs may be left with the flock for a few 
days, until the lambs are weaned. The flock must 



43 

be returned to the same field, there to remain unlif 
their milk is dried off. Then they must have a 
change of pasture. The pasture where horned cat- 
tle have been kept during the fore part of the season, 
will be suitable if it can be spared ; that they may 
get in good store order, — an object always desirable, 
but a very fat sheep does not winter well. This 
change of pasture must not be neglected, as the sheep 
may be put in good store order easier at this time, 
than at any other. Their noses may be tarred when 
taken up to separate the lambs, and I advise to do it 
as the worm in the head may be expected, if they 
are not. The lambs may be fed in the troughs to- 
gether with the sheep that are intended for slaughter, 
which will fatten the old sheep and learn the lambs 
to eat. Ground oil cake is the best food, Rnd next 
to that, oats. 

Yours. &c. C. D. 



LETTER V. 

September 1, 1833. 



Mr. a. B. 



Dear SlVy- — I again make good my promise of 
writing to you on the first day of each month. If 
you have done your duty up to this time, and your 
sheep are in health, you will have little to do this 
month. Yet there must be no relaxation of care» 
The sheep must be often seen and counted. Search 
must be made to see if any ewes are strayed, and 
that there are no rams among the sheep, and as well 
this, as every other month — that the feet do not grow 
out of shape, and that horns do not want cutting — 
that there are no places where the flies deposite their 
eggs or maggots on the sheep. Should there be any 
sore and maggots have got in it, the wool must be 
carefully cut away for some distance around it, and 
tar from the tar-bucket spread all over and around 
it ; first carefully removing every maggot. Spirits 
of turpentine and tar, if easily obtained, is an excel- 
lent thing for wounds and killing the maggots. 

As to unction in the latter part of this month, I 
have never used it when the sheep are in health, but 



45, 

I have no doubt that a sheep salved or anointed, just 
before the fall rains come on will do better than one 
that is not, and especially one that is low in flesh. 
I should advise the trying of it. Books say, that 
melted fresh butter and a small quantity of soap is 
is the proper ingredient for it to be made of. 

Yours, &c. C. D. 



LETTER VI. 

October 1, 1833. 



Mr. A. B. 



Dear Sir, — I take the liberty again to give you 
directions on the subject of my flock of sheep under 
your care. The sheep must in some way be shel- 
tered from cold rains, as the wind is generally east 
and north east. A low or depressed piece of wood- 
land on the south and east side of the pasture, may 
be sufficient. If nothing else can be done, they must 
be brought to the winter folds, in bad storms. 

You will be very careful that no sheep stray, and 
that the fences are kept up at all times, and that the 
sheep do not contract unruly habits. All the sheep 
that are breachy, learn it in this month and Novem- 
ber, and such a habit must destroy the value of the 
flock, for keeping on a farm. What man can keep 
an unruly flock of sheep upon his premises ? These 
habits may however be prevented, and you must do 
it. The fine wooUed breeds are less subject to 
being unruly than many other. If ever salt does 
good it is at this season of the year, and I would 



47 

salt mine if it were for no other purpose than to 
tame them. 

Be careful to put our good and wholesome law in 
force, respecting rams going at large. The whole 
profit of the flock as it regards lambs, may be de- 
stroyed by neglect in this one thing. Let no fear of 
disturbing the neighborhood induce you to neglect 
this, for rely upon it, March will make all your 
buildings a hospital if you do, in spite of ordinary 
care. Much carp must be taken at this time, and 
indeed all the fall, to learn your lambs to eat. They 
may be put into a yard, and the troughs put there 
also. Keep them there for one day and a night at a 
time, and the troughs well supplied wilh oats, oil 
cake ground, &c. I had almost forgotten to say to 
you, take the best possible care of your own rams, 
lest all the mischief be done by them. It is neces- 
sary that they should be in the best possible order 
when they are wanted. Always look carefully for 
diseases in the flock. 

Yours, &c. C. D. 



LETTER VIL 

November 1, 1833. 

Mr. a. B. 

Dear Sir, — On the commencement of another 
month, I again address you on the subject of my 
sheep. This is one of the critical months of the 
vear with sheep, and they must not be neglected. 
As to pasturage, they may follow the horned cattle 
and Horses into every pasture in which they have 
been kept in the fore part of the season, (if the 
fences will allow.) The frost however will soon 
kill the feed, and your attention must be directed to 
supplying the deficiency. This may be done by 
scattering half a gill of corn daily, to each sheep on 
a clean place, or by feeding oats in the trough, as 
convenience may direct. Your attention must also 
be directed to the sheltering of the sheep, during 
cold rains or snows, should there be any. If you 
mean to have your lambs come in any time in Ap'-il, 
you must turn your rams with them at the corres- 
ponding time in November. 



49 

The practice of feeding your sheep with corn or 
oats must be kept up every day, until snow comes, 
be it sooner or later. Snow does not often come to 
lie long in this month ; but should any come, the 
sheep must be fed with green and dry food, a due 
proportion of each. Every care must be taken that 
sheep do not melt their fat, as some call it ; that is, 
lose it, through want of proper nourishment at this 
season of the year, for obvious reasons. Never let 
your rams be exhausted before you put them with 
the sheep. They should be so tame that they may 
be fed out of your hands with a piece of bread, or 
any other thing that you may please to give them. 

As sheep may or may not come to the fold this 
month, I think I had better explain the reasons why 
sheep ought to have green food in part, when they 
first come into the fold, in the fall or winter. 

It has been said that a sheep of twenty-two inches 
height eats, when fed with green succulent grass, 
eight pounds in twenty-four hours. The same quan- 
tity when dried will make two pounds of hay ; and 
when fed with dry hay she eats two pounds only. 
The loss therefore is six pounds in weight each day, 
unless it be made, up in drink. To supply this de- 
ficiency in part, green food must be given them each 
day, when they come to the fold, that the change 
may not be too sudden for them. Slieep will feed 
on as many kinds of food as any domesitic animal. 

We may therefore make use of ])otatoes, turnips, 
4 



50 

cabbages, or hemlocJk browse, as green food ; but 
heavy food they must have or they will grow lean 
by losing their fat, which will be absorbed to make 
up the deficiency in food, and this will prove almost 
fatal at this time of the year. It must certainly fit 
them very poorly for encountering the rigors of our 
long winters. 

Lambs must be made to eat well in this month, or 
you will lose them. 

Yours, &c. C. D. 



LETTER VIII. 

December 1, 1833. 



Mr, a. B. 



Dear Sir, — So important is a good attentive Shep- 
herd, that it is well said, tell me what your Shep- 
herd is worth, and I will tell you what your flock is 
worth. There is no neglect of a shepherd to be al- 
lowed. His Sheep must be taken care of. — 
Many have had to give up their flocks rn Maine, be- 
cause they could not get a faithful Shepherd, and 

whether I give up mine at , depends upon you. 

If the sheep are neglected any part of the year, they 
may be touched with that fatal disease, the rot, and 
the flock be ruined. But I hope better things of 
you. 

You are provided with open sheds which is the 
most common method of sheltering sheep in this 
State. Much has been said in favor of feeding under 
cover, from racks, but I have pursued the cheaper 
mode, on clean snow, with an open shed fronting 
south and east, much to my satisfaction, [d] When 
there is more rain in the winter, feeding under cover 



b2 

may be more needed. Your sheep will, in all prob- 
ability, come to the fold this month, if they have 
not already come. If well tended and faithfully fed 
with hay, grain may be safely dispensed with during 
this month ; but remember, they must be well sup- 
plied with something that they will eat. They must 
be filled every day. 

Clover hay is best, if well cured ; but if the 
weather is cold they will eat almost any thing. You 
may feed them with oat or wheat straw, fresh mead- 
ow hay, or almost any thing, in the fore part of a 
cold day, but be careful to give better at the latter 
part, in order that they may be well filled at night. 
If the weather is warm, better hay must be given, 
and possibly grain will be needed. Green and heavy 
food must not be neglected, but given every day, 
both to the old sheep and the lambs. I have for 
nearly thirty years made use of hemlock boughs, as 
the cheapest green food. I cannot believe that there 
can be a cheaper hay, than fresh meadow or bog 
hay, as it is called. The grea^ point being to keep 
sheep well and cheap. Fowlmeadow hay is as good 
as any I am acquainted with for black cattle, and 
even sheep, (excepting early cut clover.) Bluejoint 
is good, but not equal to Fowlmeadow. Other kinds 
of fresh meadow hay that I now know are not as 
good, but much good English hay may be saved in 
a flock of sheep by the above kind of hay, (fresh 
meadow,) and what is not eaten, will serve for litter 



53 

in the shed, which ought at all times to be well lit- 
tered. It will be well also to have more yards than 
you have flocks of sheep, so that you may shift them 
from one to another, and let the colts and young cat- 
tle come in and pick up what the sheep will not eat. 

I will mention two diseases which occur in this 
month, and their symptoms. 

The symptoms of the first are, a frequent stretch- 
ing, with evident signs of pain in the intestines. — 
Soon after, a fever may be expected, which will be 
manifested by a dry nose, heat in the mouth, and 
quick pulsation. I have always given physic at 
this stage of the disorder, and generally the most 
powerful I could obtain. If not relieved, and a dis- 
charge of the bowels takes place, a settled dysentery 
generally follows, and the sheep either dies of this, 
or sinks into the rot and dies. I have checked this 
discharge by a decoction of raspberry twigs, but 
violent diseases in the fore part of winter generally 
kill before the winter is over. My opinion is, that 
it is caused by eating the chaff of wheat, &c. at the 
barn door ; although undoubtedly it may sometimes 
be brought on by other causes. Many light cases of 
it are often cured by nature only. Should this dls- 
esise appear the sheep must be separated from the 
flock, and placed in a warm and dry apartment. 

The other disorder is a soreness in the mouth, es- 
pecially in the corner of it. The lips and head 
swell, and perhaps a breaking out on other parts of 



4 



64 

the body. I have cured in all cases by an immedi- 
ate application of tar and sulphur. This disease 
may be light attacks of the sheep pox, spoken of by 
authors. Put the preparation on to the noses, around 
the mouth and into the corners thereof. Should 
any death happen by any internal disease, you will 
dissect and examine the cause thereof. Never neg- 
lect this where there is the least uncertainty. You 
may expect that I shall keep you employed, if you 
take the care of my sheep. The life of a shepherd 
is not an idle life. 

Yours, &c. C. Do 



LETTER IX. 

January 1, 1834. 



Mr. a. B. 



Dear Sir,— Although this in fact begins the new 
year, yet I have chosen to begin my directions to 
you as a Shepherd, on the first day of May, for ob- 
vious reasons. 

The management of the flock will not differ ma- 
terially this month from the month before or after 
it ; as all three are winter months, and there must 
be a sameness in the care of the sheep. I am in 
hopes that what did not occur to me in writing for 
one month, may the next, so that you may gather 
from these letters, and applying good judgement, 
the true method of managing the flock with honor 
to yourself and profit to me. I have spoken of 
manv kinds of fresh meadow hav, with oat or wheat 
straw, and a plenty of heavy and green food, as be- 
ing the fodder on which sheep will do well in the 
wmter ; yet when the straw is gone and they have 
been kept long on fresh hay they will need other 
fodder, or something in addition. This may be sup- 



56 

plied by corn stalks, if well cured, or a foddering 
of good English hay at night, or a little grain. Re* 
member this ; they must be filled at the night of 
each day. When thaws take place, the sheep must 
have better hay, &c. given them, in a clean place, 
and if it continues without rain for a considerable 
time, grain of some kind must be given. 

If it can be done, it will be best to remove the 
sheep, rake the yard, and cover where they have 
laid with litter. When the weather becomes cold, 
they may be returned into the same yard where they 
were before kept. It has been said that black cat- 
tle and sheep do better, and are in better flesh in the 
spring for having a proportion of fresh meadow hay 
in the winter, and many reasons have been offered 
to account for it. In cold weather sheep must be 
filled, and if they will not eat one thing give them 
another ; they are the best judges of what best suits 
them. 

Water is necessary for sheep, although they can pass 
more days without it than other domestic animals* 
You will therefore see that they have water at all 
times convenient for them . 

It has been said that there are two ways of keeping 
sheep. One is, to give them as much hay as they 
can eat the heads and leaves off. The other, hay 
in less quantities, and make them eat it all up, and 
supply the deficiency wit h grain. 

In the winter of 1816 — 17 I, from necessity, kept 



57 

67 sheep and a colt three years old, on >\hat was 
supposed to be only four tons and a half of hay. — 
The sheep were principally ewes, and they did not 
lamb until after there was a plenty of grass. I lost 
but one lamb. The hay grown in that cold year, 
was much better than hay grown in a warm year. 
Hay grown in a warm year will always require more 
grain to accompany it for sheep, than the like quan- 
tity grown in a cold year. The same is applicable 
to cold and hot countries. But to return. Should 
any of the sheep melt fat, or grow lean, they must 
be removed to a separate yard, and kept better. — 
You are supplied with three yards, and you will 
find that they are necessary. Your welher or wed- 
der sheep, must also be separated from the ewes this 
month, or the early part of February, as they will 
do with much poorer keeping than the ewes with 
lamb. You will also remove diseased sheep into 
some suitable place, unless the disease has become 
general in the flock ; and in that case, some may be 
worse than others, and make it necessary to remove 
them. 

Yours, &c CD. 



LETTER X. 

February 1, 1834. 



Mr. a. B 



Dear Sir, — In this month, if not done before, as 
I said in my last, and the earlier the better, the ewes 
with young must be separated from the wethers and 
rams, and placed with the last year lambs, fed with 
good English hay, green food, and a small quantity 
of grain. 

Grain when given to sheep should be given at or 
near the same time each day, otherwise they will 
neglect to eat hay and bleat after the grain ; but if 
you are careful to feed at the same hour, this will in 
a great measure be prevented. I have no doubt but 
that you have fed the lambs all the season on the 
best of English hay, with heavy or green food, and a 
small quantity of grain each day. The ewes with 
lamb will now want the same keeping. If there are 
any that certainly have the rot, kill them and take off 
their pelts, for I know of no cure that will not cost 
more than the sheep is worth. If you have plenty 
of feed, and should give the rams and wethers the 



69 

the same]keei3ing that you do the ewes, though it is not 
absolutely necessary, it will not be lost. They will 
pay for it in wool and flesh. But you must separate 
them at any rate, as the strongest will get the feed 
and rob the weakest. AH weak and feeble ewes 
ought before this to have been separated from the 
others. Indian corn at this season of the year is 
good, given even in small quantities, but if given 
late in the season it prevents that flow of milk ner 
cessary to nourish their lambs, especially if given in 
large quantities. Small fodderings at a time, and 
given often, is always to be preferred. Many of the 
directions given in the other months are applicable 
in this. It is n^w time to search your sheep for 
ticks, and to kill them by smoking them Ky the aid 
of the smoke pipe and bellows. In order to be efr 
fectual it must be done twice, and at short intervals. 
Yours, &c. C. p. 



LETTER Xr. 

March 1. 1834. 



Mr. a. B. 



Dear Sir, — This being a montli that has usually a 
great variety of weather, it v\ill call for no little 
care with the flock. As lambing or veaning season 
approaches, you must increase your feed and atten- 
tion. If the noses of the sheep were not tarred the 
last month, they must be this. I have found it a 
certain remedy for common running at the nose, and 
also for sore eyes. Long continued high winds, se- 
vere cold, rains, &c. &.c. are all bad if the sheep are 
exj)Osed to ihem ; and to keep them from being ex- 
posed to either will require not a little attention. 

Never huddle a great number of sheep into a 
small space, if it can be avoided, and if at any time 
you do it, let there be a free current of air in the 
space above them. 

It has been said that each sheep needs one yard 
square of space. You oui^ht to know what object 
to aim at, and be left to your own judgement in sone 
degree to obtain ii. Browse should not be given 



61 

this month, and it is not of much use in February, 
as it grows tough on the trees on account of its age. 
Potatoes and the yellow turnip (Rutabaga,) must be 
substituted, with which I hope you are well stored. 
I^nglish hay must be substituted for fresh, as that 
becomes dry and poor after a few days of March 
winds. Small quantities of Indian corn may be safe- 
iy given, to supply any deficiency ; but large quan- 
tities must be avoided, as it will certainly prevent 
that flow of milk necessary for the Iamb when it 
comes. Oats may be given one day and potatoes 
the next, in reasonable quantities. Oil cake, ground, 
is tiie best food that I have used. Shorts are recom- 
mended by some, but I cannot speak of them, as I 
have never made trial of them myself. You will 
increase your quantity of food as the time of lamb- 
ing approaches. No creature pays better for being 
kept in good store order than sheep ; but if they 
get very fat, they ought to be sold to the butcher, 
for they will never fat with the same ease again, and 
ten chances to one if they do not go into the rot. 

Take good care of your sheep this month, that 
they maybe able to bring forth their young the bet- 
ter during the next. Should any diseases take place 
I must refer you to books on the diseases of sheep. 
I must renew my former directions to give proven- 
der at the same time each day. Tagging or clipping 
the tag-locks ought to be done during the latter part 
of this month. I wish you joy with your sheep in 
5 



62 

fine order on the last day of this month, otherwise, 
disappointment to you and loss to mp will be the 
consequence. 

Yours, &c. C D. 



LETTER XIL 

April 1, 1834, 



Mr. a. B. 



Dear Sir, — This month will finish the year with 
my directions. April maybe called a critical period 
in many respects. It is the yeaning month with 
most good farmer's flocks in this State. In this 
month sheep go from hay to grass, or from dry to 
green food. It is also a period that calls forth the 
greatest care and attention of the shepherd. 

You will need all the information that you can ob- 
tain and all your experience ; and should the weath- 
er be bad, unceasing care day and night. I hope 
your lambs do not come until after the middle of 
the month ; in that case, every care and attention 
may be paid to the sheep during the first part of the 
month to prepare them for lambing in the latter 
part, which may be done as directed the last month. 

Make the sheep eat as much green food as possi- 
ble each day. Grass is best if you have it ; next to 
that, potatoes. Oil cake, ground, is the best prov- 
ender ; if you have not that, small quantities of oats 



64 

may be given. This month tests all the rest, as it 
regards ewe sheep, for he who raises the greatest 
number of lambs from a given number of ewes is 
supposed to be the best shepherd, all other things 
being equal. I shall make a few observations on 
the change from dry food to green, and afterwards 
on the lambing season. 

1. When sheep go out into a considerable field in 
April, the ground being bare, they get sufficient 
green food to take ofiT their appetites from dry food, 
unless it be of the very best kind. What is to be 
done ? I answer that a field of clover that has been 
shut up from an early part of the last autumn will 
be best for them ; but if you have not that, the very 
best hay, potatoes, cabbages, ground oil cake, oats, 
wheat bran, or some other thing that they will eat 
must be given. The sheep must be filled each day 
to a reasonable degree. Try turnips — try any thing 
that they will eat. Wood ashes and salt are spoken 
of as giving an appetite at this season of the year. 
I cannot speak of this from my own experience, but 
am inclined to think that when they have been kept 
long from the ground it may be useful. 

2. The lambing season. During this period the 
shepherd must live with his sheep. The ewes most 
likely to lamb must be put up at night if it be cold 
or stormy. Feeding the sheep well and having them 
in good order is the best direction I can give you. 
They may not all do well in lambing, and perhaps 



65 

some may need help. A little practice, and the aid of 
what has been written on the subject will be suffi- 
cient. The lamb may not have milk enough ; in 
this case a sheep that has lost her lamb, or the milk 
of a cow that has recently calved may be used ; but 
to clear the bowels of a new born lamb with any 
thing but the milk of its mother, in such a manner 
as to save its life has been a difficult thing with me. 
It has been mentioned to me by an Irishman that an 
egg beaten up would be good. It would be worth 
while to try it. If sheep are in good store order 
and lamb during the last of April, and the weather 
is mild, a field where they can get grass may be all 
that is necessary, yet the shepherd ought to watch 
them. 

Yours, &c. C. D. 



P. S. — Having communicated to you my opinion, 
(so far as my knowledge will permit,) of the mode 
in which sheep ought to be kept, it may be well to 
impress your mind with the absurdity of the usual 
manner in which they are kept in this State, in or- 
der that you may avoid their practices, which expe- 
rience has proved so destructive to many flocks. To 
do this, I will begin on the first day of April. In 
this month when the sheep go out of the yard they 



get a very small quantity of green food ; certainly^ 
not enough to support them in the fore part of the 
month. If the horse or ox or cow was to do it, they 
would have something else that they would eat ; but 
the Farmer says of the sheep, I guess she will do^ 
and she is of course neglected. Although she will 
eat nothing of the usual food yet she receives no 
better. In the month of May she is turned to pas- 
ture and left, if she has good feed to make up the 
loss of April. In June she is summoned to be wash- 
ed — of course in the afternoon, and when it is dull 
weather, — probably a storm coming on, and as it is 
cold, wet work, the greatest drunkards are employ- 
ed, who readily engage under the expectation of 
having rum to drink. When being washed they are 
handled in the rougliest manner, and brought home 
in the storm at n-ght and turned into a low, wet 
pasture, thereto remain until they are dry for shear- 
ing. 

In a few days shearing is commenced, by huddling 
perhaps one hundred sheep or more, with their 
Iambs, into the cow sta!)le, where they are forced to 
remain until they are robbed of their wool, even if 
they should be sweltered and starved to death. — 
When it comes night, and their fleeces are taken off, 
they are turned out. What must be the situation of 
a thick fleeced, fine wooUed, lean sheep, suckling a 
lamb, that has given her owner four pounds of good, 
cleaned, well washed, fine wool, turned out sudden- 



67 

ly in a cold and perhaps wet night' to fill her belly 
after fasting a whole dav ! I should think it would 
be the last time she would require food, and indeed 
it ofien proves so. After they have been out in the 
storm a day or two, and have either died or lived, 
or at any rate laid the foundation of incurable dis- 
eases, the enquiry is made, where are the sheep to be 
pastured f 

The cows must make more butter and cheese this 
year than they did last, says the good wife ; and as 
for the mare she must have good feed, for I am go- 
ing a journey to see my mother in the fall. Tom 
says the oxen shall be kept well, for he is going to 
Cattle Show in the fall with them. The good hus- 
band, willing ta indulge his family, concludes to turn 
them into the pasture over to the back end of the lot, 
down next to the swamp, and the sheep are accord- 
ingly put into that pasture, there to remain for the 
summer and fall, without further trouble or care, 
and there they are doomed to remain until three 
days after snow falls the ensuing autumn or winter. 
The first day after snow comes is spent in getting 
wood for the house, — the second in repairing the 
cow-house, — the third in repairing the horse-stable, 
and the sheep and lamhs are then thought of and 
brought home on the fourth, unless some bad luck 
takes place. In that case they are doomed, die or 
live, until they can be conveniently brought, for it 
is only the sheep and they '11 stand it. When they 



68 

arc brought home, they are shut up in a tight, small 
yard, to prevent tlieir peeling the fruit trees, &c. 
Through December, January and February a little 
hay is given them twice or three times a day, and 
perhaps in March a few roots are given them, but 
most probably half of thern are dead, and the resi- 
due nearly so. 

Thus the most profitable creature on the farm, one 
that gives both clothes and meat, is the most abused 
and neglectedo C. D. 



DISEASES OF SHEEP, 



DISEASES OF SHEEP. 



The artificial mode of life which man has impos- 
ed upon the sheep, the restraints which he has put 
upon its movements in search of its natural food, 
and the changes which he has effected in its modes 
of life compared with the free state in which it 
probably existed when formed by nature, render it 
liable to a multiplicity of diseases which often des- 
troy at once the pride of the flock and the hopes of 
the Sfiepherd. 

Many of the diseases may be reckoned either in- 
curable, or cured only at an expense that it is more 
economical to lose the sheep than incur a greater loss 
in the cost and trouble of effecting it. Others, how- 
ever, yield to the application of proper medicines, 
judiciously applied, and nearly all may be prevented 
by watchfulness and suitable care. 

It may not be necessary to enter particularly into 
all the diseases which are, or have been known to 
infest this valuable animal. Some of them are as 
yet only known on the other side of the Atlantic, 
and have never, to our knowledge manifested them- 



72 

selves among the flocks of America, and we most 
fervently hope never will. 

Although all diseases may arise from exposure to 
contagion, or derangement of the digestive organs, 
occasioned by improper exposure or improper food, 
yet for the sake of method we will divide them into 
two divisions. 

I. External diseases on those which exhibit them- 
selves upon the external organs and parts of the an- 
imal. 

II. Internal, or those which are seated upon the 
internal organs of the animal. 

DIVISION I. 

DISORDERS OF THE EXTERNAL ORGANS. 

1. Scab. 2. Pelt rot. 3. Claveau, or Sheep Pox. 
4. Foot Rot. 5. Erysipelas, or red water. 6. Sore 
Eyes. 7. Wounds, ulcers and fractures. 

I. Scab. Appearances and symptoms. The first 
indications of the scab manifests itself by the start- 
ing of fibres and locks of wool from the rest of the 
fleece. It generally begins on the rump of the ani- 
mal, and extends up the back and over the sides and 
neck. The animal is seen rubbinor and biting its 
sides, and exhibits signs of great itching and uneasi- 
ness. On examination the wool is found to sepa- 
rate easily from the skin, and there is a red appear- 
ance of the skin, small watery pimples or tetters at 



lirtt sliovv themselves, and finally dry scabs or a 
scurf covers the infected place. The skin has a dry, 
stiff, meagre feel, and it appears to be hardened in 
lumps or ridges. In severe cases there is a yellow- 
ish water below the crust or scab. In time, the wool 
falls off from the whole diseased surface, and the 
flock presents a miserable and disgusting appearance. 

Causes, The causes of the scab are various ; ex- 
posure to cold rains, and remaining in low, damp, 
foggy situations too long, carelessness of the Shep- 
herd in attending to cleanliness and comfort of tie 
flock. Unwholesome food may also bring it on. It 
is contagious, and easily communicated from one 
sheep to another in the same manner as the itch is 
communicated among the human species. Hence 
some have considered the disease itself to consist in 
small animalculae which burrow in the skin. This 
may very probably be the case. 

Treatment. On the first appearance of the scab, 
or itch, separate carefully those that are infected 
from those that are not. Having done this, you may 
then shear the wool, if it be not already off, from the 
diseased parts of the sheep disordered. Wash the 
parts affected with warm soap suds, and rub it brisk- 
ly with a brush. Then apply some one or more of 
the following ointments, either of which will prob- 
ably effect a cure. An ointment made of equal parts 
of Lard and Sulphur, in vvhi^h is put a small j^or- 
tion of spirits of turpentine. A strong decoction of 



74 

tobacco has proved a valuable remedy in this di:ior- 
der, especially in the first stages of it. 

A decoction of the green Hellebore, or as some 
call it, Swamp Poke, or Indian Poke, (the Veratrum 
yiride of Botanists,) united with tobacco has been 
found very effectual. The mercurial ointment has 
also been applied with success. 

From the success which attends a solution of the 
chloride of lime in the cure of the itch in the hu- 
man system we should be inclined to think that its 
use in this disorder among sheep would be in the 
highest degree beneficial. It is at any rate worth a 
trial . 

Whatever is applied, however, should be applied 
promptly and thoroughly. It will not answer to do 
this business by the halves, unless you wish to be 
always anointing and washing your flock. A small 
patch left untouched will continue the disease and 
prolong your labor and trouble. Examine your 
flock often and closely. Do not trust to o^eneral ap- 
pearances, for a sheep may have this disorder for 
years, and yet if she be naturally of a hardy and 
strong constitution, eat and drink, and appear as 
well as any other. 

II. Pelt Rot. Symptoms, In this disease the 
wool falls off and leaves the skin bare. Or if it 
does not fall off, it first becomes reddish on the back 
part of the neck, anc^ also on the back and sides of 
the sheep. The skin is hot, and as it becones ex- 



15 

J)OseJ to the air becomes dead. If let alone it will 
sometimes heal over or run into the scab. Some- 
times the wool almost entirely falls off and there is 
no appearance of soreness, though a white crust 
covers the skin where it is divested of the wool. 

Causes, It is generally caused by exposure to cold 
rains, particularly in merinoes, soon after shearing. 
This kind of sheep from the delicacy of their skin 
are more liable to it, when stript of their close and 
warm covering and turned out into cold storms 
without being defended by oil or some unctious mat- 
ter. In the autumn it is sometimes produced by be- 
ing suffered to remain without shelter or cover from 
the inclemency of cold and long storms. 

Treatment. When this disorder appears in the 
ilock they should be sheltered from the wet and 
carefully oiled, or the skin covered with lard well 
rubbed in. A more full and generous diet should 
be given them, and care taken that they are render- 
ed comfortable and dry. It readily yields to such 
treatment, but if neglected oftentimes becomes fatal 
or ruinous to the health and profit of the flock. 

III. Sheep Pox, or Claveau. This troublesome 
complaint sometimes breaks out in our flocks, and 
frequently does much mischief before the real na- 
ture of the disease is suspected. The following 
description and mode of treatment, from Bard, has 
been found by experience to be correct in most par- 
iicularsj and successful in practice. 



76 

Symptoms, <^c. " The sheep pox commences by a 
heavy, watery, and slightly inflamed eye, some 
swelling of the lips, and a discharge from the no^e, 
very soon succeeded by an eruption round the mouth 
on the edges of the lips, and particularly at the corn- 
ers of the mouth. In some cases of the mildest 
species of the dis-ease, these have been all the symp- 
toms which have appeared. The eruption has dried 
into small black scabs, which have fallen off in eight 
or ten days, and left the sheep quite well. In the 
next degree of the disease, on examining the sheep, 
an eruption of various size and shape is found on 
the inside and naked parts of the thighs and belly ; 
some of the pustules are small and round, others 
broad and flat ; and some are likewise discovered 
under the wool on different parts of the body. — 
These pustules grow yellow on the tops, and dis- 
charge a small quantity of matter, which dries into 
a blackish scab. Still this is to be considered as 
the mild and distinct species of the disease, and is 
attended with no great danger. The confluent and 
malignant species of the disease commences with a 
more violent inflammation of the eyes, a more man- 
ifest and considerable swelling of the lips, and a 
greater and more purulent discharge from the nose. 
The eruptions on the naked parts of the body are 
very numerous, broad and flat, of a reddish brown, 
or purple color ; and are likewise discovered under 
the wool, on every part of the body. The animal 



•77 

appears very sick, dull, and stupid ; and refuses 
food, partly from loss of appetite, but more evident- 
ly from the soreness of its mouth ; on every part of 
which, tongue, gums, and on the inside of the lips, 
the eruption is discovered. Of these malignant 
cases some have died in twenty-four and thirty-six 
hours ; others have struggled through eight or ten 
days, and a few, but very few, have recovered. Be- 
tween these grades of mild and malignant claveau, 
the variety has been almost as great as the number 
of animals seized. But neither in the confluent, or 
mild species, was any high degree of fever manifest- 
ed by hot feet, ears, or mouth ; which, in general, 
were rather below their natural degree of heat ; and 
in some of the worst cases, were actually cold. — 
Nor did the breathing often become quick and la- 
borious until very near the fatal termination of the 
disease. 

Of the lambs, some were seized within three clays 
after birth, so that I believe they must have brought 
the infection with them : others were not seized un- 
til they were eight, ten, or fourteen days old ; and 
I thought evidently took the diseas-e from the older 
and more early infected lambs. 

The little animals, in general, appeared to droop 
for a day or two ; and then the first symptom, as in 
the older sheep, was an inflammation of the eye- 
lids and lips. This was soon followed by the erup- 

6* 



73 

tion, which appeared very thick and fiorid on the 
inside of the thighs, and other naked parts, and 
could be felt on every part of the body. From day 
to day the number of the eruptions appeared to in- 
crease, and to collect in large clusters, particularly 
about the neck, throat and jaws ; by which, al- 
tliough the lambs retained an appetite for the teat, 
they were at length prevented from sucking. In a 
few of the old sheep, although the eruption was 
very numerous, the maturation of the pock was per- 
fect, and in general, such recovered. But more fre- 
quently it was very imperfect in the old sheep ; and 
in the young lambs, I saw none that matured at ail, 
where the eruption was general over the body ; and 
all such died. But where the eruption was chiefly 
confined to tlie mouth and pudenda, a kindly matu- 
ration took place and they recovered. Upon the 
whole, this disease proved fatal to more than one 
tliird, nearly half of the old sheep ; and to three 
fourths of the lirnbs wfiicli were attacked. 

The relics of this disease, like thoe of the small 
pox, are various and terrible. I have already men- 
tioned t!ie putrid and corroding ulcers about the 
mouth. Some had imposthumations, especially about 
the head, which on being opened, discharged a green- 
ish and offensive matter ; but the eyes most fre- 
qiiently suflfered ; the ball of the eye itself posthu- 
mating and bursting, and this symptom attended 
and followed some of the milder cases ; in one, a 



19 

fine full-blooded ram, no other symptain was discov- 
ered." 

Cause, This disease often arises from contao^ioni, 
but also ocxurs among flocks which have in all prob- 
ability never been exposed directly to infection of 
this nature. It is therefore highly probable, that 
the state of the flock or constitution of the sheep 
may at different times be such as to allow different 
causes — such as atmospherical influence, or peculiar 
kinds of food to bring it on. More observation up- 
on this subject is desirable. 

Treatment. " It will readily be conceived that in a 
disease of this nature, no more than in tfie small 
pox in the human species, nothing like cure can be 
attempted with success ; if by cure is meant to put 
a stop to the progress of the disease. Like all dis- 
eases of this kind, it must, and will run through its 
s^tages ; and all that can be done is by a well regu- 
lated diet, and by attention to the state of the bow- 
els, and attempUng to mitigate any violent and un- 
toward symptom, to conduct the animal safely 
through it. At first, as I have said in the hope of 
stopping the spread of the disease, every sheep that 
was attacked was immediately and carefully separat- 
ed from the flock ; but soon finding this a vain at- 
tempt, it was abandoned ; and those only which 
were more seriously attacked were taken to my hos- 
pital, that they might be more particularly attended 
to. The milder cases were left in the flock to com- 



80 

mon treatment and common food ; except, that in^ 
stead of corn, tlie whole flock had bran and water 
with hay. Those that were taken to the hospital had 
chiefly roots and bran ; and those whose mouths were 
so sore that they could not eat hay, or even roots, 
was supported on gruel, given three or four times in 
a day by means of a bottle. The only medicine 
given, was brimstone and molasses, yeast and mo* 
lasses, and in some cases, a little nitre. Sore mouths 
were constantly cleansed with vinegar and water ; 
and when they began to ulcerate, with one of the 
caustic solutions mentioned above. In a few of the 
worst cases, mercurial ointment was rubbed freely 
under the axillae and on the thighs. To two or 
three I gave calomel freely, to try how far mercuri- 
als might mitigate the symptoms. Under such treat- 
ment, most of the mild, and a very few of the more 
severe cases recovered ; and one very malignant and 
confluent case in my neighbor Mr. Broom's flock, 
recovered under the free use of mercury. 

Inoculation for this disease is recommended in 
many parts of Europe ; and Mr. Laysterie assures 
us, with efficacy and success. As soon, therefore, 
as I was assured of the disease, I made the attempt ; 
but I cannot say with any considerable success. In 
the first place, I found it diflicult to procure matter, 
and when I had succeeded so far, I again found it 
very difficult to communicate the disease with any 
certainty, athough I performed the operation with 



81 

great care, and in every mode I could think of ; 
with a thread, with the scab, and with fresh fluid 
matter ; and where the sheep or lamb took the dis- 
ease,, many died. But I confess, I was by no means 
certain they had not taken tlie disease before inocu- 
lation, in the natural way. A very few evidently 
took the disease from the inoculation, and VAent 
through it with safety. I vaccinated seven, but I 
w^as not sure that one took the cow-pock. Yet the 
analogy between the claveau in sheep, and the small 
pox in man is so great, that if the disease should 
again appear, I would recommend, and would my- 
self again attempt inoculation." 

Notwithstanding Bard, as quoted so largely above, 
states that the disease will go through its course, yet 
there seems to be a species of it that sometimes at- 
tacks lambs which may be readily subdued. It gen- 
erally attacks lambs during their first winter. It 
also attacks older sheep, but is most usually confined 
to the young. It makes its appearance in the form 
of a SORE MOUTH. The lips swell and become crust- 
ed over with a rough scab, particularly at the corn- 
ers, insomuch that it becomes difiicult for the animal 
to eat, and it is evidently attended with pain. 

The treatment that has been found most effectual 
is the following : — Take tar, spirits of turpentine, 
and a little sulphur, remove the scabs from the dis- 
eased part, and apply the mixture With an instru- 



82 

ment or spatula of wood twice or three times, or 
more if necessary. 

IV. Foot Rot. Appearances and symptoms. The 
first approach of this disease is generally discovered 
by the limping or lameness of the sheep. On exam- 
ination, at first, says Pictet, a faint redness appears 
in the cleft, or at most a slight oozing around the 
hoof ; the lame foot is hot ; some time after an ul- 
ceration takes place at the junction of the two claws, 
either on the inside or outside of the hoof, from 
which runs a fetid matter. At this period of the 
disorder the animals suffer more ; they are feverish ; 
they not oidy limp more, but they cannot support 
themselves; they lie down, and when they eat they 
commonly kneel. When the disease has made con- 
siderable progress, collections of purulent matter 
take place under the hoof, which run out at its 
juncture at the skin. Sometimes the hoof rots and 
comes off, and the whole foot becomes one ulcer, 
the tendons and foot mortify, and even the bones 
rot. The fever increases. At other times the mat- 
ter is collected under the sole, which it consumes. 

Cause. Considerable variety of opinion exists in 
regard to the cause of this disorder, and also in re- 
gard to its contagiousness. Mr. Dick, a veterinary 
Surgeon, of Edinburgh, in Scotland, has published 
a long paper on this subject, in the Edinburgh Quar^ 
ttrly Journal of JigricuUure. 

Mr. Dick first describes the structure and func- 



83 

tions of the foot, and their adaptation to the habits 
of the animal, in a state of nature. Tlie sheep is 
naturally an alpine animal, dwelling, by preference, 
among the steepest and most inaccessable summits 
of lofty mountains. Amid these ranges, the hoofs 
are worn away, as they grow, and are consequently 
always fresh and sound. 

" But what," he asks, ** is the effect of domesti- 
cating ? What do wx gain by enticing the sheep 
from his native and natural haunts, to the richer 
pastures of our meadows or our lawns ? There the 
animal enjoys a more luxuriant repast, it fattens to a 
larger size, and will, in this respect, repay the in- 
creased allowance which has been made to it. But 
instead of moving about in small troops, wilh the 
alacrity of the wild kinds, the sheep are seen in 
flocJis of thousands moving slowly over their pas- 
tures, and gorging themselves, to an extent which 
cuts short the thread of life by the advancement of 
various diseases. Instead of wandering from the 
summit of one peak to another, in quest of a scanty 
subsistence ; or, instead of being compelled to de- 
scend from the summits of the mountains in the 
morning, and ascend again in the evening, they are 
compelled, in many cases, to remain within a fcw^ 
yards of a particular spot for weeks together, and 
there engorge themselves to satiety." 

For want of the friction upon hard suifaces the 
hoof becomes overgrown. "The crest, the part 



84 

naturally intended to support the weight of the ani- 
maJ, is allowed to grow out of all due bounds, be- 
cause the softness of the pasturage, upon which it 
now moves, presents little, if any, of that rough 
friction to which the feet of the animal is naturally 
intended to be exposed. The crust therefore grows 
unrestrained, until it either lays over the sole, like 
the loose sole of an old shoe, and seems to retain 
and accumulate earth and filth, or is broken off in 
detached parts, in some cases exposing the quick, or 
opening new pores, into which particles of earth or 
sand force their way, until reaching the quick, an 
inflammation is set up, which, in its progress, alters 
or destroys the whole foot," the system becomes dis* 
^ased, and the animal dies. 

Mr. Dick explodes the idea that the disease is con- 
tagious. He thinks it promoted by soft old pastures, 
luxuriant herbage, and particularly by wet seasons, 
and wet grounds. To cure the disease, Mr. Dick 
recommends that the detached hoof be pared away, 
and some caustic applied to the surface, of which 
muriate of antimony is the best. To prevent the 
disease, he recommends that the hoofs be rasped or 
pared at regular intervals ; that the sheep be made 
to travel upon hard surfaces, or folded in a place 
purposely prepared, upon which they would move 
about every day, and wear their hoofs. 

The whole of this paper is worthy of the careful 
perusal of the &«heep farmer, and w ill be found from 



85 

page 852 to 865 in the work I have quoted. Mr. 
Dick's paper suffi<jiently indicates, what other con- 
siderations concur in establishing, 

1. That sheep are far more healthy when suffered 
to range upon the sides of precipitous hills and 
mountains, where they obtain short feed, pure and 
dry air, stony bottom and plenty of exercise. And, 

2. That consequently our hilly districts must ulti- 
mately be resorted to for the profitable and success- 
ful rearing of this valuable animal. — [Gen, Farmer.] 

Treatment. This disorder requires energetic and 
prompt action, and what is done must be done thor- 
oughly, or the labor is lost. The firs^t thing to be 
done is to pare the hoof away until the part affected 
is exposed and fully laid open. Don't fear to cut as 
far as is necessary, even to the bone, for it will soon 
heal over after the ulcer is destroyed. When the 
hoof has been sufficiently cut away, cleanse the part 
perfectly with warm soap and water, or what is un- 
doubtedly much better, a solution of chloride of 
lime, take oil of vitriol one part^ water two parts ^ and 
plunge the whole foot into the mixture. Indeed in 
order to prevent retaining the disease in the flock, 
let every foot be plunged into the liquid. Be sure 
that every defective part is washed by the vitriol 
water. This should be done two or three days in 
succession, or until it is evident that the disease is 
subdued and a healthy action has taken place in the 
feet. 

7 



86 

The sheep r»ay in the mean time be kept in a dry- 
pasture, in the summer, or if it be winter, in a place 
littered with dry litter. The litter should be after- 
wards thrown into the hog-yard, or into a place 
where the sheep cannot trample upon it again, as it 
is thought that the disease may be communicated in 
this way. You should be sure that the vitriol be of 
the full strength, if not a larger proportion should 
be used, [e] 

In many cases, when the sheep begins to limp, 
paring, thereby bleeding the fool freely, has prevent- 
ed the disorder. 

V. Erysipelas, OR Red Water. ^Appearances and 
Symptoms. The appearance of this disorder is that 
of a red inflammatory thickenino; of the skin break- 
ing out into a fine eruption frequently watery, at- 
tended with fever and heat. It attacks most gener- 
erally those sheep which are in the best condition 
and has sometimes proved very fatal, it being a dis- 
ease which does not run long before it kills the an- 
imal. 

Causes. Examination after death generally shows 
an inflammation of the stomach, kidneys, intestines, 
or the neck of the bladder which may be brought 
on by feeding on too succulent or improper food. 

Treatment. A change of diet should be prescribed 
and cooling purgative medicines administered free- 
ly. Clater mentions the following remedy as having 
been successful in his hands, Epsom salts, six ounces ; 



8t 

Nitre, four ounces ; bailmg Water, three pints — pour 
the water upon thef salts, and when about blood 
warm add four ounces of spirits of turpentine — give 
froni three to four table spoonfulls at a dose, once 
or twice per day according to the severity of the 
disease. 

The following preparation is also recommended. 
Flowers of brimstone, two ounces ; four large spoon- 
fulls of molasses, and if the disease is violent, add 
half an ounce of salt petre. Divide this into eight 
doses ; give them in half pint of warm water per 
dose, night and morning, so long as the disease con- 
tinues. 

VI. Sore Eyes. Sheep are frequently affected 
with soreness of the eyes. 

A liquor of a watery appearance is discharged 
from them which causes the wool to come off from 
below them where it trickles down. 

Tar applied to the nose frequently is a good rem- 
edy, and if sulphur and spirits of turpentine were 
added it would probably be more beneficial. 

VII. Wounds, Fractures, &c. " Of the most 
simple complaints, such as wounds, bruises, and 
fractures, a healthy sheep so soon recovers, that 
farmers are too apt to neglect them altogether ; but 
by so doing, a simple wound may degenerate into 
an ulcer, a bruise may imposthumate ; and although 
a broken bone will knit, the animal suffers great 



88 

pain, and will probably have a crooked limb ever 
after. 

With regard to fresh wounds, so much care only 
is necessary after cutting the wool from the edges, 
as to clear them from dirt, and any other foreign 
substance ; to bring the edges together and keep 
them so by a bandage where that can be applied, or 
by a strong sticking plaster, which may be made of 
shoemaker's wax ; or when the wound is very large, 
by a stitch or two taken deep into the flesh, which 
can be made only with a surgeon's crooked needle. 
It should then be covered by a plaster made of equal 
parts of black pitch and bees-wax, with double the 
quantity of mutton suet, merely to defend it from 
injury ; and in the summer season, from the access 
of flies. 

A bruise should be washed with hot vinegar, with 
the addition of a little spirit of turpentine ; which 
should be repeated two or three times a day, until 
the swelling and pain subside. 

\ A fracture should be bound up neatly, with one 
or two splints, covered with tow ; in such a manner 
as to fill up the hollows of the limb, and to prevent 
the hard wood pressing on the tender part. In do- 
ing this, no other care is necessary than to keep the 
broken ends of the bone opposite to each other, and 
not to apply the bandage too tight, which it always 
is, if the limb swells in a considerable degree. 

Imposthumations should be opened, as soon as 



89 

they grow soft ; and as well as ulcers, should be 
kept clean by washing with warm soap suds, and 
covered with a pledget of tow, spread with an oint- 
ment made of equal parts of tar, mutton suet and 
hog's lard ; with the addition of a little wax, in the 
summer season. When the bottom of an imposthu- 
mation looks pale, or of an ash color ; when it dis- 
charges a glary matter, and particularly if the mat- 
ter is offensive, it has become in some measure an ul- 
cer, and should be treated as such. After washing 
it with soap suds, and drying it well, cover the bot- 
tom and edges with lint, which has been soaked in 
a solution of Roman vitriol, (blue stone,) or the 
surface of the ulcer may be rubbed with the vitriol 
itself, and then covered with dry lint, and a pledget 
of tow, spread with the above tar ointment. This 
mode of dressing must be continued daily, until the 
ulcer assumes a florid red color, and discharges a 
white, or yellowish matter, which is no longer offen- 
sive. After which it is only necessary to keep it 
clean, and to dress it eimply with the tar ointment. 

DIVISION II. 

DISORDERS OF THE INTERNAL ORGANS. 

1. The Rot. 2. Diarrhaea. 3. Dysentery. 4. 
Stretches, or colic. 5. Braxy. 6. Sturdy. 7. 
Staggers. 8. Worms in the Head. 9. Worms in 
the Liver, or Flukes. 10. Convulsions. 11. Hov- 
ing. 12. Poison. 

7-^ 



90 

I. The Rot. Symptoms. The jfirst appearance of 
this disease is manifested by a languor of the animal's 
appearance ; all its movements are weak ; it eats 
less than the others, and does not ruminate or chew 
the cud as well. At this period of the disease it 
should be attended to ; if neglected, these first symp- 
toms grow more violent. Still surer evidences of 
the disorder may be seen by examining the eyes and 
month, which are discolored and pale, by laying: 
one's hands upon the rump, which sinks ; or by 
taking hold of the animal by its hind foot which it 
suffers to be held without making any resistance ; if 
its wool be pulled it comes out easily ; for the most 
part, and especially when the disorder is very far 
advanced, the animal has in the evening a watery 
swelling beneath its under jaw, which disappears in 
the morning, because in the night its head is not, as 
in the day, hanging down towards the earth. This 
is one of the most striking symptoms, and it almost 
always announces approaching death. Little by lit- 
tle the animal falls into a decline, and perishes. 

Appearance after death. If the body be opened^ 
the flesh generally is found to be livid, the intestines 
pale, membranes infiltrated, water collected in the 
lower belly, in the chest, and in the head, hydatids, 
or little bladders of fluid in these cavities and on 
the surface of the lungs, and the liver, in the caul 
midriff (?) or mesentery. In the gall tubes or bil- 



91 

iary ducts are found liver flukes. The liver is pale 
and in a state of decomposition. [/] 

Causes. Tessier thinks this disease may be attrib- 
uted to the physical constitution of the sheep, as 
well as to circumstances in which it is placed. It is 
not an animal of firm constitution. Its fibres are 
lax and not compact. The slowness of the disor- 
der, the symptoms which appear in the course of it, 
and what is discovered upon opening the bodies af- 
ter death, all announce that the malady proceeds from 
a superabundance of aqueous fluids. If these ani- 
mals are therefore made to pasture at all times in 
pastures naturally wet, or made so by dew, if they 
are turned out during fogs, if they are folded on a 
clayey soil, and if their houses are not situated upon 
a dry soil, the rot may be expected. Bad feeding is 
another cause of the rot, for nothing is more condu- 
cive to ill health or bad state of the system than 
,lack of nourishment, or bad unsubstantial food. It 
was formerly believed by some English writers that 
sheep found and eat some noxious herbs that grew 
in low and dewy situations, but this is no doubt a 
mistake, — the disease arises from the damp situation 
and unhealthy atmosphere, and not from any vege- 
table. 

Preventive. The best means for preventing the 
rot, according to Mr. Davey, of Bath, England, 
who has written a valuable treatise upon some of 
the diseases of sheep, are attention to the three fol- 



92 

lowing things, viz ; jood^ local situation, and changes 
in atmospheric temperature and weather. 

Of the first it is observed, that experience has 
shewn that sudden transitions from one kind of food 
to another in animals, and even in the being called 
man, are productive of injurious effects. If, there- 
fore, sheep have been depistured on dry and scanty 
herbage, and from them suddenly removed into a 
fresh, luxuriant meadow, especially during autumn, 
and after the autumnal rains have set in, it is ten to 
one but that the constitutional health of such sheep 
will be jeopardized. Or, if moved from a compar- 
atively dry to a lower situation, where the air is less 
j:>ure and loaded with vapour, the same bad effects 
are likely to follow. Throughout the whole au- 
tumn and winter, sheep require a dry lair or lodging 
])lace, and to counteract the effects of the humidity 
and cold of the season should have a due allowance 
of good hay, and occasionally subjected to oiling or 
unction. 

A still more certain and effectual mode as it re- 
gards our subject may be added to this ; it is to al- 
low the sheep plenty of salt to eat. We consider 
this simple article of very great value and efficacy. 
The action of the salt given the sheep will be to 
stimulate the digestive organs, and perhaps restore 
the balance of chemical actions in the stomach, as 
far as this organ is capable of control by chemical 
laws ; and will be materially assisted if it contain a 



93 

more alkaline ingredient with it, such as common 
soda, and which may be mixed in the proportion of 
one ounce or more to the pound of salt — or wood 
ashes may be mmgled with the salt in small quanti- 
ties when soda cannot be obtained. 

If, however, the sheep reject the alkali, leave it 
out, and confine them to the salt ; many sheep dislike 
the salt at first, but they may soon be habituated to 
it, and made partial to its taste. 

With regard to the transitions from rich to poor 
feed, or vice versa, it should be managed gradually 
and cautiously, and then these changes, so far from 
being injurious, will be highly salutary and improv- 
ing. We will suppose a farmer purchases a lot of 
sheep, he ought to be acquainted with the kind af 
soil and herbage to which they have l>een accustom-' 
ed. We have now noticed the bad supply of food, 
bad qualities of it, and great transitions from one 
kind to another ; all these circumstances are in the 
power of the farmer, and he can adopt such meas- 
ures as his own judgement will suggest, to avoid the 
ill effects consequent on them. 

The second particular is the local situation of the 
farm. A high, airy situation is by far the best for 
sheep ; and on the other hand, a low, damp situation 
is wholly unfit, as is also stiff clays. It will be 
needless to enlarge more on this part of our topic, 
as it has been more fully treated upon in other parts 
of this report. We shall only add that the deleteri» 



»4 

ous effects arising from stagnant pools and ditches 
caused by the noxious vapors and malaria, are pecul- 
iarly hurtful to animals requiring a pure and healthy 
air. 

The third cause mentioned, was changes in atmos- 
pheric temperature and weather. The author from 
whom we have so liberally quoted, earnestly advo- 
cated the defending sheep from sudden and severe 
changes of weather, and strongly recommended hav- 
ing a shelter of some kind as an excellent preventive 
of the rot. His ideas are corroborated by the expe- 
rience of our best flock owners. A great many 
things, says he, may be done^ to make the condition 
of the sheep at all times tolerable, if not comforta- 
ble ; but when a negHgent, inattentive shepherd 
pays liitle or no regard to these particulars, but al- 
lows things to take their chance, when he neither 
studies the causes of evil nor seeks a remedy, which 
is so generally within reach, it is no wonder that 
such distressing losses sometimes occur, and that such 
lamentable experience, so often repeated, should still 
have taught no useful lesson. (See remarks on shear- 
ing, p. 38.) 

Treatment. If after all our care and attention, our 
sheep fall sick with the rot, what is to be done ? If 
the disease has far advanced, the most economical 
mode of treatment is to kill the animal and shorten 
the period of its suffering. Oar reasons for so do- 
ing are, that the organs have become dis-organized. 



95 

and it is not in the power of njan by any process 
hitherto discovered, to restore them. In the earlier 
stages, however, remedies are often successful. 

'' Upon the first symptoms of a rot, iron rust should 
be infused into the drink given to the sheep, or they 
should be made to drink aromatic decoctions, such 
as decoctions of sage^leaves, of lavender, of hyssop, 
of thyme, of juniper-berries, or of an infusion of 
the ashes of broom, &c. or what is still better, white 
wine, and if that cannot be procured, red wine, 
three or four spoonfuls of which should be given at 
a time. These remedies, continued some time, 
strengthen the fibres, cause the water to run off, and 
restore the animals. It is thought that common salt, 
given in any way, would answer. I cannot vouch 
for it ; but I think it probable, from the instance of 
some sheep which feeding habitually near the sea, 
in the midst of the dashing of salt water, do not get 
the rot. I think advantage might be derived from 
the employment of bitters, such as ellecampane, gen- 
tian, the lesser centaury and wild succory root in de- 
coction." — Bard, 

The tonic, or bitter herbs have been highly re- 
commended. The Buck Bean, {Menyanthes Trifolia) 
which grows plentifully in our bogs has been thought 
valuable in this disorder ; but as before observed, it 
is not advisable to go to much expense to effect a 
cure. If the disease has not been prevented, it will 
cost more to cure than the sheep is probably worth. 



96 

II. Diarrhea, or Scouring. This disorder gener- 
filly prevails in the spring of the year, when sheep 
go from dry food to grass, and sometimes it becomes 
necessary to check it in order to prevent its running 
into the dysentery, or reducing the strength and 
health of the sheep so low as to endanger life. 

The best preventive of this complaint is to put 
them from dry food, upon a piece of rowen, which 
has been shut up from the first months of the pre- 
ceding fall ; where they will find a mixture of dry 
and new grass, which will prevent the consequence 
of too sudden a change. Where this has not been 
provided, they should be brought up once a day, 
and given a little hay or grain. Where, notwith- 
standing the disease comes on, it is generally of lit- 
tle consequence ; or when obstinate, may be relieved 
by the chalk mixture, increasing the dose to a table 
spoonful of chalk and of spirits, and five or six 
drops of laudanum ; and if this should prove inef- 
fectual, boil four ounces of chipped logwood, in 
three pints of water, for ten or fifteen minutes, and 
give the chalk mixture, each time in a gill of this 
decoction." 

Almost any astringent is good to check the loose- 
ness. Raspberry twigs boiled down to considerable 
strength, or Hemlock Bark. Rennet is also some- 
times u^ed with good success prepared in the man- 
ner generally adopted for making cheese, and given 
in repeated doses. 



97 

III. DrsENTERY. Sheep are said to he sometimes 
attacked by a true Dysentery. 

Symptoms. The discharges are mucous and bloody 
and mixed with lumps of hardened excrement, and 
by this it is distinguished from simple diarrhoea, or 
scouring. There is a frequent urging and straining 
to stool, with small evacuations, and apparently ac- 
companied with pain — sickness and fever which is 
manifested by a hot skin, ears and moulh. It occurs 
most frequently in summer and towards the fall of 
the year, and is supposed to be infectious in a de- 
gree. 

Causes. The cause of this disease is supposed to 
be an inflammation of the lower intestir^es occasion- 
ed by improper food or by sudden transitions from 
heat to cold. 

Treatment. Bard recommends the followinsj treat- 
ment. " In this case, begin by purging the sheep 
with an ounce of glauber salts, dissolved in warm 
water ; or rather in violent cases, by bleeding (which 
is best performed after shaving off the wool, in the 
jugular vein, as is done in horses and neat cattle.) — 
After swelling the vein by a bandage, open it with 
a common lancet ; and after drawing a sufficient 
quantity of blood, which from a full grown sheep 
should be towards a pint ; the blood is stopped, and 
the vein secured by a pin and hair, or thread, (as is 
done in the larger animals) then give the salts ; and 
having procured a free and open state of the bowels, 
8 



give the chalk mixture ; interposing occasionally as 
long as the pain, fever, and bloody evacuations con- 
tinue a dose of salts, or what I have frequently found 
a mild and gentle evacuant for sheep, give a large 
table spoonful of molasses, mixed with one or two 
of yeast or emptyings. This remedy is particularly 
adapted to dysentery, which is frequently a putrid 
disease, and may be freely used, as long as the pain, 
fever and bloody evacuations continue ; after which, 
the chalk mixture, and decoction of laudanum, will 
do all that can be done towards a cure under a com- 
plaint of this nature. Sheep, ill of this disease, 
ithould not be allowed to drink too freely of very 
cold water ; instead of which, a pint of thin gruel, 
made of buckwheat, oat or Indian meal, and sweet- 
ened with molasses, given two or three times a day, 
will at once supply the place of necessary drink and 
proper food." 

IV. Stretches, OR Colic Symptoms. The sheep 
is seen stretching and throwing its head back as if 
in violent pain, frequently lieing down and rising 
up — a fever takes place after some time, and death 
generally occurs on the third or fourth day. Previ- 
ous to death, the discharges become black and very 
fetid. 

Causes. The true cause of this disease is not fully 
known. It has been conjectured by experienced 
shepherds that it arises from a diseased action of the 
stomach and bowels brought on by the want of 



^9 

heavy succulent food ; as it most generally takes 
place soon after the sheep comes from grass to dry 
food, or during the winter. Some have supposed it 
to be caused hy eating chaff, &c. around the barn or 
threshing floo^r, hut it has taken place when sheep 
have not fed upon any such materials. 

Treatment, Keeping them well supplied with heavy 
succulent food is a preventive, but when it does take 
place, strong purgative physic has been found very 
effectual. A strong decoction of Thorough wort, 
and afterwards a decoction of Raspberry twigs to 
check the dysenteric discharge. Castor oil is a good 
remedy, or if nothing better can be obtained* com- 
mon grease melted and poured down, or pieces of 
fat pork may be given. The disease generally 
proves fatal, if the thoroughwort does not check it 
soon. 

V* Braxt. *' Sir George M'Kinsey describes 
dysentery and braxy as the same disease. But Dr. 
Duncan describes another disease under the name 
of braxy, which appears to be a violent inflamma- 
tion of the bowels, unaccompanied with dysenteric 
symptoms. In both, the remedies, especially in the 
first stage, are much the same ; bleeding, purging 
and a cooling diet : with this difference ; that in the 
dysentery, bleeding is seldom necessary more than 
once in the very beginning of the disease ; in the 
inflammation of the bowels, it is the only remedy 
to be depended on, and must be repeated at short 



100 

intervals, as long as the Tiolence of the symptoms 
continues." 

VI. Sturdy. Symptoms. " It is supposed we have 
this disease, occasionally among us, though I believe 
it never has been proved by actual dissection. A 
sheep attacked with it ceases to improve, becomes 
dull, and separates from the flock, its sight seems to 
be impaired and indistinct ; the eyes glare, the ani- 
mal sometimes becomes blind, starts at any noise, 
runs furious without aim, loses the power of stand- 
ing, and is perfectly emaciated." 

Cause. " The cause, discovered by dissection, is 
found to be a collection of water ; in the milder 
species of the disease, in a bladder on the top of the 
brain, near the skull ; over which the skull is found 
to be remarkably soft, so as to yield to the pressure 
of the finger. In the more fatal species, the water 
is collected in the natural cavities, or in the sub- 
stance of the brain itself." 

TreatmenU " The only cure is to let out the wa- 
ter, either by puncturing the sack, through the soft 
part of the skull with an awl ; by opening the skull, 
as in the operation of trepanning, and taking out the 
sack ; or by what is averred to be the safest and 
most certain, though unquestionably a very singular 
remedy, by passing a stiff" pointed ware up each nos- 
tril, through the base of the skull and the whole 
substance of the brain, until it can be felt by the 
finger, over the soft part, on the top of the skull. — 



101 

After which, although the sheep should lie as dead 
for many hours, it is said frequently to recover. It 
cannot be, but that an operation of this nature, in 
which the whole substance of the brain is perforat- 
ed, must frequently prove fatal. But as the disease 
for which it is recommended is of itself necessarily 
fatal, unless relieved in some such way, it is only 
necessary to ascertain the disease to justify the at- 
tempt. Where, however, the soft part of the skull 
can be discovered, the operation of trepanning is 
more safe, but requires more skill ; and where no 
such part an the skull can be discovered, it can be 
of use only by chance." 

VII. Staggers. Symptoms. The principal symp- 
tom is that of the animal turning round, generally 
many times, in endeavoring to move forward. — 
From this the disease is called giddiness, gid, turn- 
sick, blind staggers, &c. Sometimes the animal in- 
stead of turning round when hurried, or in endeav- 
oring to move forward, appears lame in the hind 
quarters, generally on one side only, and most com- 
monly the left.. In moving forward quickly he goes 
nearly straight ; but the left hind quarter is so in- 
clined as to make him appear somewhat crooked. 
In the early stages af the disorder, the turning round 
is nat remarkable, unless the animal is hurried, but 
at a later period, he constantly does it in attempting 
to move forward, and at length becomes so corn- 
8* 



102 

pletely palsied, that he falls down, and is unable to 
get up again, and in that situation generally dies. 

Causes. Dissection shows that the seat of this dis- 
order is in the brain, and is somewhat similar to the 
dropsy of the brain in the human system. Bard 
thinks that the difference between this disease and 
sturdy consists prini:ipally in its violence — the stag- 
gers attacking suddenly, and the sturdy being more 
gradual in its operation. Sometimes the lobes of 
the brain alone are affected, and sometimes bladders 
of water, or hydatids, as they are called, occur. — ■ 
The skull immediately covering the diseased part of 
the brain becomes thin and weak, is easily pierced 
with a sharp instrument. Sometimes small holes 
have been found in it. Constitutional debility may 
be one of the remote causes. 

Treatment. A disease in such a situation is not 
easily cured. Indeed such is the nature of it that 
puncturing or trepanning is the only probable mode 
that can be adopted. When the particular spot of 
the disorder is discovered, and the hydatid is to be 
prevented, almost any sharp instrument will be suf- 
ficient. A shoemaker's awl, or a common brad awl 
is a good thing to use for this purpose. One punc- 
ture is thought to be sufficient. The fluid will not 
readily flow out, nor will the good effect, if any, 
be seen at first. The animal is g-enerally beyond re- 
covery when discovered to be reeling, and a prompt 
operation is the only hope for saving it. 



103 

VIII. Worms in the Head. Symptoms. Frequent 
sneezing, running at the nose, an appearance of stu- 
pidity. The sheep will sometimes after sneezing 
two or three times, turn the nose on one side and 
then on the other, a little inclined and downward. 

Causes. The worm found in the head of sheep is 
the maggot or larva of the sheep fly (oestrus ovis) 
which is a fly belonging to the same Genus, and 
having an appearance similar to the Bot fly. This 
fly deposites its egg in the nostril of the sheep in the 
month of August, and the maggot lodges itself in 
the cavity or sinus at the top of the nose, between 
the eyes. These worms are round, white, with a 
brown spot on the head. They generally remain 
there until the warm weather of spring, when they 
disengage themselves, by their irrtation of the nose, 
cause a sneezing by which they are thrown out, 
when they creep into the straw or manure, where 
they happen to fall, and pass their crysalis state until 
they change to a fly, and come out and propagate a 
new progeny. In the winter of 1831-2, great num- 
bers of sheep died as it was supposed by worms in 
the head. The summer previous was very sultry, 
which was favorable to the fly, and an unusual nunrr- 
ber of them were probably propagated. 

Many sheep which died were opened, and numer- 
ous worms were found in the nasal sinus. It was 
thought by some that the worms were not them- 
selves the cause of the animals death, but merely 



104 

the exciting caus« of other diseases. Some Shep- 
herds have an idea that a worm or two does no hurt 
in the head of the sheep, provided the warm weath- 
er comes on early in spring, and they are di&Iodged 
in season. 

Treatment. The only effectual mode of getting 
rid of them is by boring into or trepanning the 
sinus ; but this is not very often practised. Some 
fumigate the animal with the burning fumes of brim- 
stone. Some apply spirits of turpentine to the nose 
and some pour spirits of turpentine in the nostril. 

The latter remedy sometimes proves fatal of itself. 
Prevention in this case is fur better than any pre- 
scription hitherto devised. One method of doing 
this is to tar the noses of your sheep while at pas- 
ture. This has been foimd pretty effectual. Anoth- 
er method is to plough a furrow or two in the pas- 
ture. The sheep when attacked by the fly will 
plunge their noses into the sand, and thus protect 
their nostrils from the invasion. According to a 
writer in the Maine Farmer, vol. 1, p. 91, the worm 
does not die when the animal does, but will remain 
alive in the situation it has chosen after the death of 
the sheep. Further observation on this point is de- 
sirable. And if it is found that in all cases the worm 
outlives the sheep, and finally goes through its 
changes, it will be important to destroy them by 
some effectual method, either by taking them out or 



105 

by boiling or burning the head, and thereby prevent 
their increase. 

IX. Worms, Flukes, &c. Several species af 
worms infest sheep. One kind found often in the 
liver and other parts of the body are called Flukes. 
(Fasciola Hepatica.) They are probably connected 
with the disorders of the animal, such as the rot, 
and are probably an effect rather than a cause of 
them. As it is found that by pi eventing the disorder 
the production of the worms is hindered. 

Another species of worm is found oftentimes in 
the brain, enveloped in a little sack or hydatid. The 
same animal together with another variety is found 
in the intestines. They are a species of the Toeniay 
or tape worm. Those found in the head cannot be 
attacked by any other method than by trepanning, 
and this is not a very sure method. Those in the 
intestines may be expelled oftentimes by medicine. 
Spirits of turpentine, or balls of turpentine given 
often to the sheep are good. Wood ashes with salt 
are valuable for this purpose. Dr. Barstow, for- 
merly of Anson, in answering some queries put by 
the Kennebec County Agricultural Society, says, — > 
" In the summer of 1830 my flock had access to a 
piece of burnt land. In hot weather they laid among 
the black logs and ashes, and were very healthy and 
iat when they came in to winter feed. The ensuing 
summer they had not this privilege, and they did 
not do so well. After they went to pasture, I iound 



106 

one of them dead, and in the excrement near by 
were many white jointed worms from one half to 
an inch in length. Since then I have given the flock 
ashes and salt, mixed two to one, and have met with 
no further loss." 

X. Convulsions. This is a disorder not very 
common to sheep, but is generally fatal when it does 
attack them. 

Symptoms. The animal staggers, totters, falls 
down, and is convulsed more or less ; its limbs 
twitching and springing by irregular starts. 

Causes. The cause of this disorder is not well un- 
derstood. It is probably, however, similar in the 
sheep to the Epilepsy and Apoplexy of the human 
system, and is a nervous disorder brought on by 
constitutional debility, improper food, exposure, &c. 

Treatment. If the animal be fat and of a full 
habit, bleed freely from the jugular vein of the 
neck, and give copious doses of the thorough wort. 

XI. HovEN, OR HoviNG. Symptoms. An attack 
of this disorder causes the animal to swell prodi- 
giously. He is in great pain — lieing down and get- 
ting up frequently — grunting and throwing the head 
round to the sides. 

Causes. It is brought on by eating too freely of 
heavy succulent food, or of too large quantities of 
grain, and drinking freely afterwards. Sheep or 
other animals when turned into very luxuriant pas- 
tures are often attacked by it, especially if the pasr- 



107 

ture contain much clover. Tlie grass, or whatever 
is eaten fills the first stomach too full ; fermentation 
takes place, and a large quantity of gas is formed 
which being pent up by some of the grass closing 
the orifice or openings of the stomach, causes the 
distension of that organ. The left side is generally 
more puffed up than the other, as the paunch is plac- 
ed on that side. 

Treatment. The air must either be absorbed or 
have vent, and when the swelling has arrived to a 
great extent and the animal is in imminent danger, 
an opening must be made through the skin, and in- 
teguments into the paunch forthwith. To do this, 
take a pointed knife and plunge it into the space be- 
tween the hip bone and last rib of the left side, just 
in the centre of the space. Be sure that your knife 
is long enough to go through into the paunch. A 
quill or small tube is sometimes necessary to keep 
the orifice open, and suflTer the air to escape. If, 
however, the swelling is not too great, it may be re- 
lieved by thrusting a flexible rod down the throat of 
the animal, or a piece of tarred rope with a ball or 
bulb at the end, which will push away the cake of 
grass and make a passage for the air to escape up 
the gullet. Somethinop uhich will check the fer- 
mentation or absorb the gas may be given. Pearl- 
ash, or a weak solution of potash has been used with 
a weak mixture of aqua amonia and gin, in repeated 
doses of a gill to a full grown sheep ; but the knife 



108 

or rod affords the most instantaneous relief. The 
stomach pump would undoubtedly be of service in 
this disorder. 

XII. Poison. Sheep and calves will often in the 
winter or spring of the year eat greedily of the low 
Laurel, lamb kill or goat poison^ as it is called, {KaU 
mia Angustifolia^) which is poisonous to them. 

Symtoms. The animal appears to be dull and stu- 
pid ; swells a little, and is constantly gulping up a 
greenish fluid which it swallows down ; a part of it 
will trickle out of its mouth and discolor its lips. 

Causes. The plant probably brings on a fermen- 
tation in the stomach. Nature endeavors to throw 
it off by retching, or vomiting, which if prevented 
by swallowing kills the animals. 

Treatment. In the early stages if the greenish flu- 
id be suffered to escape from the stomach, the ani- 
mal most generally recovers. To effect this, gag the 
animaL which may be done in this manner. Take 
a stick about tlie size of your wrist and six or eight 
inches long, — place it in the animal's mouth ; tie a 
string to one end of it, pass it up over the head and 
down to the other end, and there make it fast. The 
animal cannot then throw it out of its mouth, and 
the poisonous fluid will run out as it is thrown out. 

In addition to this you may give roasted onions 
and sweetened milk freely. Roasted onions may 
also be placed under the arm pits of the animal, 
which will promote circulation. Ammonia has also 



109 

been given with good effect. Whole flocks have 
been attacked by this comphiint when suffered to eat 
of the plant. In all cases, whatever you may give, 
do not neorlect the ^a^. There is no doubt but that 
the stomach pump, by which the fluids of the stom- 
ach may be drawn out and warm water thrown in, 
would be of great service in this, as well as in the 
last disease, [g] 



MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS, 
NOTES, &C. 



MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS. 

[ From various sources ] 



First Lamb. It was the opinion of the Romans 
that the first Iamb from an ewe was generally weak 
and pot-bellied ; they separated such from their 
flocks, and fatted them off. I believe the opinion 
well founded, but I think it arises from the young 
ewes seldom having so much milk, or being so care- 
ful of their lambs as tlie older ones. If the lambs 
come early, it will be necessary to wean the forward 
males before the first of August, particularly if the 
ewes are in high order, or if some among them have 
lost their lambs early, as they may otherwise im- 
pregnate the ewes sooner than is proper. It is a 
rery common practice in Europe to shear the lambs, 
though it is seldom done here ; and yet I think it 
more adapted to our climate than to that of north- 
ern Europe. The heat of our summer renders the 
wool very burdensome to the lambs ; and as our 
autumns are generally fine and dry, there is sufficient 
time for the wool to grow so much as to protect 
them during the winter. Lambs wool also sells 
much higher -here for hatter's use than in Europe, 
so as to render the shearing more a point of profit. 



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115 

Technical Terms. A male lamb, after he. is 
weaned, is called, during the first year, a Hog, or 
HoGGiT, a Tag. An ewe lamb during the same pe- 
riod, is called an Ewe Tag, a Gimmer. In Uie sec- 
ond year the male is a Shear Hog, or a two tooth- 
ed Hog, or Tag ; the female a Thaive, a Gimmer, 
or TWO toothed Ewe Tag. Third and fourth year 
they are distinguished by the same names, with the 
addition of the number of teeth they have changed. 
The fifth year, having eight broad teeth, they are 
called full-moutlied SJieep. The age of the ram is 
generally denoted by the number of times they have 
been shorn ; the first shearing being in their second 
year — a shearing — one' shear — two shear^ .^-c. In the 
north of England and in Scotland an ewe lamb, af- 
ter weaning, is called a Dimmont ; and in the we?t 
of England ram lambs are called piir-lamhs.. Tup 
and ram are synonymous terms for a covering ram. 
Crone signifies an old ewe. 

Lambs at Birth. In .most breeds of sheep single 
lambs are more common than a greater number ; but 
in some, as in the Dorsetshire, double lambs are 
nearly as usual as single. The Friesland and Tees- 
Water sheep, which are of the large, long woolled 
species, if well kept, bring from two to five lambs 
at a birth, and that sometimes'twice in a year, if we 
may believe an old English writer, Barnaby Gage, 
who says, ^^ It hath been seen in Guilderland, that 
five ewes have had in one year five and twenty 



115 

Iambs. It may seem, peradventure, to many incred- 
ible, and yet no great marvel, since they have twice 
a year most times two, and sometimes five at a time.'' 
Cully gives the following instance of fecundity in a 
Tees- Water ewe : When two years old she brought 
four lambs, then five, then two, then five, then two ; 
the first nine within eleven months. The highest 
Keeping is however necessary to cause this fertility. 
Choice of Rams. I have already given directions 
for the choice of a ram, but as this is an object of 
much moment in forming a flock, it will be well to 
know the opinions of different agriculturists. Col- 
umella recommends that the ram be tall,* with a 
pendant woolly belly, a long tail, thick fleece, a 
broad forehead, twisted horns, (though if without 
horns still better,) and large testicles ; not to be put 
to ewes till three vears old, and not after eicrht. — 
Markham. — " The ram large in every general part, 
with a loi>g body and large belly ; forehead broad, 
round, and well rising ; a cheerful large eye, straight 
short nostrils, a very small muzzle, by no means any 
horns (for the hornless are the best breeders, and 
do not endanger the ewe as the horned do ;) a large 
upright neck, somewhat bending, like the neck of a 
horse ; a very broad back, round buttocks ; a thick, 
tail, and short jointed legs, small, clean and nimble .; 
his wool should be comparatively thick and deep, c6 v- 



* This is not right ; never ciioose a tall 



117 

ering his belly all over, also his face, even to his nos- 
trils, and so downward to his knees and thighs." One 
would conclude froni this description, that Mark- 
ham, who wrote in the reign of Elizabeth, had cop- 
ied from one of the Spanish rams imported by Ed- 
ward IV. for no sheep, in England answer to his 
model. 

Signs of Health. Signs of health in sheep are 
first a skittish briskness, clear azure eye, florid rud- 
dy eye-strings and gums, teeth fast, breath sweet, 
nose and eyes dry, respiration free and regular, feet 
cool, dung substantial, wool fast and unbroken, ?kin 
of a fine florid red, particularly on the brisket. — 
Much depends on the shape of sheep. (See p. 20.) 

Salt. I have mentioned that salt, was considered 
by the Spanish shepherds as essential to the health 
of sheep, and this s.entiment is very general in every 
part of Europe ejtcept in England, whose situation 
renders the air sufficiently salt. The same conse- 
quence, from similar causes, takes place here. Up- 
on Long-Island, and elsewhere near the sea, the cat- 
tle require no salt, nor manifest any desire for it ; 
whereas on the north of the Highlands they eat it 
ravenously, and it is thought essential to their health. 
The ancients also entertained similar sentiments on 
this subject. Aristotle prescribed one peck every 
five days, during the summer, to one hundred sheep. 
We should consider this a large allowance, but it 
would be readily eaten. They aUo observe, that 



118 

however good your pastures may be, the sheep will 
tire of them if not changed, unless their appetites 
are kept up by salt. 

Yolk, Salving, &c.. Vauquelin, a French chem- 
ist, who analysed it, says that it consists of oil and 
potash, and af course, like other soap, must be solu- 
ble in water. Wool that is dry, arid without this 
substance, is seldom fine or good. In the northern 
parts of Britain, wh^re the sheep are exposed to 
very severe weather, they are anointed on the ap- 
proach of winter with a salve, composed of butter 
with about one twelfth of tar, this is rubbed upon 
the skin from the head to the tail, and so over the 
whole body, the wool being open in Fines two inches 
apart ; this acts as a repellant to the water, and Luc- 
cock (who appears to have an intimate knowledge 
of the subject) says, that the wool that grows after 
this operation is much softer, finer, and fuller of 
yoke, than that which grew earlier in the season 
before the mixture was applied : this, however, is 
not conclusive evidence of its advantage, since the 
wool that grows in summer is always coarser than 
that which is produced after the frost sets in ; and 
for that reason the extremities of all wool is harsher 
than those parts that are not exposed to the air.-— 
From thence probably arose the custom among the 
Romans of clothing, even in their temperate climate, 
the fine-woolled sheep, which had the double ten- 
dency to preserve the yoke from being washed out 



119 

and to shield the fleece fram the influence of the 
air and sun. Bakevvell, another scientific writer on 
wool and sheep, recommends greasing sheep jafter 
they are shorn, as well as. salving them in the au- 
tumn, and asserts positively that this renders the 
wool finer and softer. He insists much upon the 
softness of wool as a very important quality, and 
alledges, that though two samples of wool may be 
equally fine, that which is softest will make much 
^he best cloth. John Rutherford, Esq. of New-Jer- 
sey, has lately made the experiment of greasing a 
sheep after shearing. The sample he showed me of 
its wool appeared to me to have more yoke than I 
had ever seen in one of our common sheep, and to 
be both soft and fine. 

This experiment; is worthy of notice and repetition. 
It is also alleged that lime-stone pastures have a ten- 
dency to render wool harsh, and that the purchasers 
of wool in England make a diflference in the price 
of wool bought from two adjoining farms, if one is 
sand or clay and the other lime-stone or chalk, par- 
ticularly the latter. This it does by decomposing 
the yoke, where it comes in contact with it. 

Method of Bleeding Sheep. In inflammatory 
disorders bleeding may be necessary. This is per- 
formed by cutting the ear, or the tail, or in the tem- 
ple. The first and last do not yield mucii blood, 
and cutting the tail leaves a considerable wound. — 
Daubenton recommends bleeding in the lower part 



1^0 

of the cheek, at the spot where the root of the fourth 
tooth is placed, which is the thickest part of the 
cheek, and is marked on the external surface of the 
bone of the upper jaw by a tubercle sufEciently 
prominent to be very sensible to the finger when the 
skin of the cheek is touched. This tubercle is a cer- 
tain index to the regular vein which is placed be- 
low ; and this vein extends from the under border 
of the jaw beneath near its angle, to below the tu- 
bercle, which is seated at the root of the fourth cheek, 
tooth ; farther the vein bends and extends to the 
cavity of the eye-brow. The shepherd takes the 
sheep between his legs ; his left hand, more advanc- 
ed th^n his right, which he places under the head, 
and grasps the under jaw near to the hinder extrem- 
ity, in order to press the angular vein, which passes 
in that place, to make it swell ; he touches the right 
cheek at the spot nearly equidistant from the eye 
and the mouth, and there finds the tubercle which 
is to guide him, and also feels the angular vein 
swelled below this tubercle ; he then makes the in- 
cision from below upward, half an inch in length 
below the middle of the projection which serves to 
guide him. 

Transitions from high to low Feed. With all 
stock, it is allowed to be very dangerous to pass 
suddenlv from Iiigh feeding to that which is scant 
and poor ; or from plenty of greeq food, to that 
which is altogether dry. Hence arises a very im- 



121 

portant. maxim respecting sheep ; which is, as soon 
as the pastures fail, towards the end of autum, to put 
them to turnips or cabbages, if we have them ; and 
this will perhaps'be found our best system respecting 
turnips : to sow a sufficient quantity for our sheep, 
to be eaten after the grass fails., and before the snow 
falls, so as permanently to cover the ground. If 
they are fed with any regularity, hurdlipg them ofT 
in such portions as the sheep will eat clean, they will 
go far ; and the land will be so well manured as .to 
produce an abundant crop of wheat, oats, or any oth- 
er grain the next season. 

Number of Ewes to a Ram. — A great difference 
exists as to the number of ewes to which a ram may 
be put. Buifon limits the number to 25 or 30. In 
Denmark, they admit 40 or 50 ewes to each ram. 
In England, Thompson mentions as an instance of 
great vigour 120 : and Dr. Parry 146. In this coun- 
try, some rams have certainly covered two or three 
hundred ; and there is no doubt but that if proper 
means are employed, a ram, perhaps without injury, 
will go to a greater number. On the contrary, in- 
discriminately to turn a ram with two or three hun- 
dred ewes in a season will greatly exhaust him ; ma- 
ny of the. ewes will probably prove barren ; and of 
the lambs, many will be- small and feeble. 

When it is wished that a ram should cover a great 
number- of ewes, he should previously be put into 
high health, and kept up during the season with the 
10 



122 

best of pasture, and plenty of grain. . And instead. of 
being turned into the ftock, the ewes which are in 
heat should be regularly br6ught to him. To dis- 
cern such ewes, let a vigorous common ram be put 
into the flock, previously secured by an apron under 
his belly ; which being colored with lamb-black or 
Spanish brown mixed with train-oil, or kitchen 
grease, which will not dry ; he will mark every ewe 
which comes in heat. These being taken to the ram 
and again taken away as soon as covered, he will not 
exhaust himself by needless repetition. 

This is unquestionably -the best mode, but is like- 
wise the most troublesome. My method has been, 
to keep up my ram with a few full-blood ewes dur- 
ing the day, upon a small, but very good pasture, 
that he may feed without disturbance ; and to put 
the flock of ewes to him every night, in a confined 
fold, his belly having been previously colored, and 
every morning to separate and put into a pasture by 
themselves the ewes which have been marked. 
. By all these attentions, selecting the best rams and 
ewes, such as are in the vigour of their age, and nev- 
er suffering the rams to be weakened and exhausted 
by numbers, we shall arrive at our object, to acquire 
a numerous flock of the most perfect sheep, with 
sufficient rapidity ; whilst at the same time,. we shall 
preserve the vigour of both ewes and rams to the lat- 
est period of their lives. We have known rams to 
be successfully employed after eight arid ten years of 



.123 

age : and Mr. Laysterie mentions one at Rambouillet, 
which, at the age of eighteen, produced good lambs. 

It. is an old opinion, that by frequently changing 
the ram, and by procuring another of the same breed 
from a distant flock, we shall improve our own. But 
this opinion has been so fully exploded by Mr. Bake- 
well in England, and all who have followed his ex- 
ample, that I should not have thought it worth men- 
tioning, but to remove a prejudice, which, perhaps, 
some may still entertain. The better rule now is, to 
breed from the most perfect animals, although they 
should be descended from the same family, to the 
tenth generation. If I was to hazard a theoretical 
opinion on this subject, I would say, that beauty of 
form, and other corporal qualities are preserved by 
breeding in and in ; that vigour of intellect in man, 
courage and spirit in other animals are improved by 
crossing. 

A ewe goes five months : the season of putting her 
to the ram, therefore, must be so calculated, as to 
have the lambs fall early or late, according to the 
wishes of the owner, and the provision he has made 
for their support. Early Iambs are to be preferred 
on many accounts ; they are stronger, and more able 
to bear the rigours of the succeeding winter ; they 
are sooner fit for market ; and hence, whether for 
store sheep or for the butcher, are most profitable. 
It is likewise observed, that when the first heat of 
the ewe is suffered to go by, the second or third re- 



124 

turn of impulse is by no nrieans so sure ; that such 
ewes are apt to prove barren, and perhaps, from the 
same cause, the lambs are less vigorous. 

On the other hand, early lambs rdquire great care 
and attention ; and unless comfortable shelter is pro- 
vided for them, and ah ample supply of roots, bran, 
oil cake, &c. is laid up for the ewes, only loss and 
mortification will be the consequence. 

Age of Sheep. — We judge of the age of a sheep, 
as well as of all ruminant animals by the teeth. A 
lamb has eight pointed teeth. Fig. 1. About one 
year old they shed the two front teeth, and obtain in 
their places two broad and larger teeth, Fig. 2. One 
of two years old has four broad teeth. Fig. 3. One 
of three years old has six. Fig. 4. After four years, 
they have shed all their lambs' teeth, have eight 
broad teeth, Fig. 5, and are said to be full mouthed. 
After this the teeth begin to break, shorten and fall 
out, Fig. 6, pretty much in the same succession in 
•which they appeared : and- by the time they arrive 
at eight or ten years of age, their teeth are generally 
destroyed. 



125 




/ 







Grades of Wool. — The wool proper for woollen 
cloth of every description is that of the short-wooll- 
ed sheep, and of course the finest wool of those sheep 
whose fleeces are unequal. The farmer's share iii 
this business, next to getting an improved stock, is to 
take care that his wool is free from burrs, (which the 
shepherd should be careful to extricate before the seed 
10* 



126 

ripens,) that hay should not be given from the stack, 
or from over-hanging racks, which fill the fleece with 
grass seeds that it is very troublesome to free it from. 
He should also be attentive that his sheep are well 
littered in the fold at all times, not only on account 
of the health of the sheep, but to preserve the wool 
clean. When the sheep are shorn the wool is to be 
sorted : this is done in Spain by spreading and- di- 
viding the wool of four different qualities, according 
to the part of the body on which the wool grew. 
This will be best explained by referring to the an- 
nexed plate, which marks the different qualities by 
the figures 1, 2, 3, 4 — the first of these is called ra- 
fina, the second fina, and the third tercira ; the fourth 
together with the tags and scattered wool is called 
cahida, and is destined for purchasing, from the 
church, masses for the souls in purgatory. It will 
easily be perceived that this division caniiot be very 
accurate, because there are some fleeces much coars- 
er than others, and some sheep who are fine in the 
parts that rank in the second and third class : but it 
is much more accurate with Merino sheep than with 
any other, because their fleeces are more equally 
good, and the proportion of bad wool is much less 
in them than that of any other race ; each sort is 
washed by itself and put in bags, which are lettered 
and numbered, but when it comes in the manufacto- 
ries it undergoes another washing and scouring, by 
which it loses about twelve per cent, and is then 
again carefully sorted before it is worked up. 



NOTES. 

(a) p. 16. Mr. Jarvis settled on the Connecti- 
cut river, in Weathersfield, State of Vermont, where 
he has cultivated his flocks with great skill and suc- 
cess, and has probably at this time the best flock in 
New England. Many ot the best flocks in this State 
originate dfrom his. By care and judgment in breed- 
ing he has rendered his sheep superior to what they 
were when imported, aff'ording a useful lesson of 
perseverance, and a standing reproof to those far- 
mers who have let their flocks degenerate and die, 
and excuse themselves by laying the blame to the 
slieep and the climate. 

(6) p. 21. Downs or Dunes. These are tracts of san- 
dy barren land, yielding a dry and scanty herbage for 
the animals which roaiYi over them. In England 
there are at least two larg:e tracts oi this description, 
one bordering on the English Channel called the 
South Downs, and another tract farther North called 
the North Downs. 

The original terrtfi of downs or dunes, was applied 
to sand hills which are blown about by the wind, 
generally from the sea to the interior, such as are 
now seen on Cape Cod and other parts of that sec- 
tion of the country. 

The downs spoken of in England were formed in 
the same manner, though they are probably now fix- 
«d and more covered with herbage than the above . 

(c) p. 23. Comparative estimated value of Dishleys 
and Merinoes. We w^ill say 50 Dishleys kept as 
sheep are usually kept in Maine, average 4 lbs. of 



129 

wool per head, which will make 200 lbs.— this at 2 

shillings will be " $66,66 

Suppose they will rear 50 lambs -worth 50,00 

and they will require as much keep as 75 116,66 

Merinoes 
75 Merinoes, the number required to eat as much as 
50 Dishleys, will average o 1-2 lbs of wool per head, 
amounting to 262 1-2 Ibs.-^this will bring 3 shillinors 
per lb. ' . $131,25 

From this number suppose we obtain 50 

Iambs worth" 50,00 



181,25 
Dedu-ct income of Dishleys 1 J ^So 

$04,59 
Leaving $64,59 in favor of Merinoes, or if the dis- 
parity in the price of wpol is too much, set the Dish- 
ley at 40 cents per lb.— 200 lb?, will then bring $80, 
and 50 lambs at 1 dollar will swell tiie amount to 130 
dollars — this deducted will leave $5r,25 in favor of 
tlie Merinoes. 

We are led to make this comparative estimate of 
the value of the two breeds because public attention 
is directed at this time more particularly to them. 

(d) p. 51. Sheep Housi;s. Various modes of 
sheltering sheep have been adopted. Some have 
built, costly barns and sheds for the purpose of kee{)- 
ing their flocks warm in the winter. But ex[)erience 
proves that if sheep can b.e kept dry, it is best that 
they be not kept very warm — indeed they are an- 
imals that need a free circulation of air. 

The following plan has been recommended as 
cheap, simple, and sufficiently warm and convenient. 



'■% 




131 

Let a be the hay barn. It maybe a common barn 
or a Dutch barn — that is, a temporary structure 
with a top that can be moved up and down, b c def 
high tight board fence, making several jrards, and 
if you please a top may be put upon it like a shed. 
It is believed that this kind of structure will be better 
than tight and crowded barns — and indeed all that is 
necessary to keep sheep comfortable and healthy. 

(e) p. 86. Foot Rot. It was by treatment simi- 
lar to this, faithfully and energetically pursued, that 
Mr. J. Pilsbury, agent for I Thorndike, Esq. on his 
large farm in Jackson, (Me.) eradicated the foot rot 
from his numerous flock in that place. The follow- 
ing mode, recommended by Mr. Jarvis, has been be- 
fore published. 

Pare the hoof till all the nlneration is laid bare — 
then wash it thorouglily and apply a wash made of 
blue vitriol dissolved in a mixture of spirits of tur- 
pentine and rum. 

(/) p. 91. Appearance op Liver in Rot. It has 
been stated by Clater that if the liver of a sheep that 
has die^d affected by the/otjbe boiled, it loses its firm- 
ness and separates into small pieces in the water, or 
remains soft and flaccid. 

(g) p. 109. The following is a recipe for the cure 
of sheep poisoned by eating the Low Laurel or Lamb 
Kill. It is doubtful if the dittany grows in Maine — 
but the common pennyroyal (called by Botanists 
Cunila Pulegioides) which is similar in its nature, is 
abundant in all New England, 

'' It is a fact well known to farmers, that sheep are 
frequently poisoned by eating common laurel, (Kal- 
mia latifolia.) When you suspect this to be the 
case, give the sick animal a strong tea made of moun- 



132 

tain dittany, (Cunila mariana,) moderately warm. 
This simple remedy has been known to recover 
sheep in the last stages of the disorder. 

It would be well for farmers, wliose cattle are in 
danger of being poisoned, to procure and dry a quan- 
tity of dittany in the summer, and keep it by them 
through the winter, as it is in the latter season they 
are most likely to be affected. It may also be useful, 
in other disorders incident to cattle. So much for 
the cure : as a prevention, destroy all the laurel on 
your farms. '^ 

There are probably many other diseases which oc- 
casionally trouble sheep, but we have stated those 
which are most prevalent and common. Lambs 
sometimes need some little attention when first drop- 
ped ; either by being chilled or from some other 
cause — when chilled the warm hath has been found 
to revive them and restore vigor. 

Some years ago there was an opinion prevalent in 
some sections of the State that ever.y sheep had a 
worm in the foot or rather above the foot, Which 
injured its health, and some individuals drove quite 
a business by dislodging the worms as they arre cal- 
led, at a certain sum per sheep. 

The facts in the case are these. There is in every 
sheep just above the claw, and on the front of the 
leg^ a little tube or oilet hole, undoubtedly designed 
by Nature for an emunctory or a passage for cer- 
tain humors. This sometimes gets clogged by the 
hardening of the matter discharged. This when ta- 
ken out has the appearance of a rounder cylindrical 
worm. Sometimes when the operator could not 
find any thing of the kind he would extract the tube 
itself. 






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